Experts appreciate NRA’s policies in private housing reconstruction

Kathmandu, Aug 25

The second day of the four-day national symposium on post-earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation held today continued to delve on various aspects of reconstruction works.

The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) is organising the virtual symposium to share its experiences, good practices and lessons learnt in the last five years of post-earthquake reconstruction.

On the second day on Tuesday, four technical sessions were held and working papers were presented on various aspects of reconstruction like private housing reconstruction, construction of public infrastructures like health, education and government buildings, and reconstruction of cultural heritage sites.

Paper presenters said the NRA’s policy on deadline to receive the government grant, owner-driven construction model, household survey and re-survey and processes to ensure that no one was left behind were some of the major achievements that made the reconstruction of private houses effective.

 NRA Executive Member and Coordinator of the international conference organising committee Dr. Chandra Bahadur Shrestha presented a working paper on the survey of the housing reconstruction and its importance in formulating municipal plans.

 The sessions were focused on the reconstruction of private houses in the rural areas, reconstruction of public infrastructures, including health, education and other government buildings, and reconstruction of cultural heritage monuments.

 Various stakeholders, including development partners, I/NGOs, experts and individuals involved in the reconstruction are taking part in the symposium to develop a common view on the successes, achievements and the lessons learnt during the five years of reconstruction.

 The national symposium has been organised as part of the preparation to hold an international conference on the reconstruction and rehabilitation which is scheduled to be held later this year.

 The symposium is holding deliberations on six thematic areas – private housing reconstruction; public and social infrastructure reconstruction; cultural heritage reconstruction; livelihood; rescue and relief; and good governance. Sixty different research papers will be presented during the symposium.

 The symposium will continue till August 27.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 26 August 2020.