Experts call for accountable post-quake reconstruction

Kathmandu, Sept. 20: Experts have called for greater responsibility and accountability on the part of the post-quake reconstruction stakeholders who have the legal mandate to work for post-disaster development.

“The responsible government agencies working in post-quake reconstruction and development lack accountability and responsibility to the people,” said Prof. Dr. Sudarshan Raj Tiwari, former dean of the Institute of Engineering while speaking at an interaction on ‘Rebuilding safer urban spaces’.

He said that the government policies were myopic as they mostly focussed on immediate post-quake reconstruction rather than creating an environment for long-term development.

Former Director-General of the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction Surya Bhakta Sangachhe said there were no efforts to enhance the capacity of the central and local government to support in the reconstruction drive and forging more effective and pragmatic collaborations among the government agencies.

According to him, one of the major reasons behind the slow pace of reconstruction is the poor coordination and collaboration among the government agencies.

At the same time, public, private and civil society networking is also poor, he said.

He demanded incentives to preserve the cultural aspects in and around the heritage sites and include the local communities and local bodies in the reconstruction of monuments.

Presenting a paper on the theme, expert member of the NRA Kishore Thapa stated that building safer houses was not enough, the entire community should be disaster resilient.

He suggested adopting appropriate technology and traditional building practices while reconstructing the houses and heritages.

“There is a need to identify open spaces at the community level as well as to create new open spaces as a part of reconstruction,” he said.

According to him, improved road network, accessible open spaces, earthquake-resistant buildings, emergency shelters with water and sanitation, security and fire fighting system, health facilities and a disaster preparedness plan should be an integral part of the framework for urban planning for disaster preparedness.

DG of the Department of Archaeology Bhesh Narayan Dahal said that the government had asked the contractor of Rani Pokhari’s reconstruction to expedite the works so that the people could worship Bal Gopaleshwor on Bhai Tika Day.

The programme was organised by the South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (Sawtee).