NRA approves plan of integrated settlement

Kathmandu, Aug. 21: The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has approved the development plan of integrated settlements in three districts, which were hit worst by the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake.

The reconstruction body has given green signal for the development of integrated settlements in Jilu of Dolakha, Baguwa Milan of Gorkha and Melamchi Jarayotar of Sindhupalchowk districts.

A recent meeting of the NRA Steering Committee gave approval in principle to the proposals of the three settlements.

Respective local bodies had sent the applications to the NRA with their recommendations.

It said that the government would support those settlements in developing infrastructure and other required areas.

NRA Spokesperson Yam Lal Bhusal said that such support in infrastructure construction would be extended gradually on the basis of the standards that would be prepared by the NRA.

The government would facilitate the local bodies in implementing the integrated settlements and force them to comply with the required standards.

The meeting chaired by NRA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Govinda Raj Pokharel also formed a sub-committee to formulate measures and standards of integrated settlement development.

“The sub-committee is led by NRA Executive Committee member Dhurba Prasad Sharma and has Joint-Secretaries Prakash Thapa and Krishna Dawadi, chief survey officer of the Land Management and Geological Study Section at the NRA Kamal Ghimire and representative from the Ministry of Urban Development as its members,” Bhusal said.

The sub-commmittee can collect opinions and recommendations from the Steering Committee members and other experts.

It has 15-day mandate to prepare the standards.

Dr. Pokharel said that the NRA would further the process for the development of integrated settlements as per the Reconstruction Act, 2015.