KMC halts reconstruction works at Rani Pokhari

KATHMANDU, Dec 28: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has decided to stop the reconstruction work at Rani Pokhari and build it e as per the architectural style and form prevalent during the time of king Pratap Malla in the medieval period.

The reconstruction project of the Malla-ear monument came under controversy after the KMC decided to use concrete to re-build it, which culture activists and locals criticized accusing the local government of trying to destroy the traditional value of the structure.

The locals and activists, to protest the KMC’s move, had padlocked the main entrance door of the reconstruction site on Tuesday in the presence of Deputy Mayor Hariprabha Khadgi. Later, a team led by Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya had removed the lock—fueling fire on the already mooted reconstruction project of the ancient monument which was damaged by the 2015 April earthquake.

A meeting held between Mayor Shakya, Deputy Mayor Khadgi, National Reconstruction Authority secretary Madhu Sudan Adhikari and Director General of Department of Archaeology Bhesh Narayan Dahal decided to withdraw the ongoing reconstruction work.

The meeting has also formed an 11-member committee led by former Director General of the Department of Archaeology Bishnu Raj Karki to study the site and recommend a work plan within 15 days.

The President had inaugurated the reconstruction of earthquake-devastated Ranipokhari on January 2016.