The renovation of Gaddhi Baithak at Hanumandhoka Durbar premises has reached the final phase. The Department of Archaeology has said the renovation started with US support will be completed by mid-June.
The US had announced an aid of US$ 700,000 to Nepal for renovation of Gaddhi Baithak in September 2016. Renovation started one year after the announcement. "Renovation works have gained momentum. Preparations are on to hand over Gaddhi Baithak by mid-June, " engineer at the Department Gopal Jha said.
Gaddhi Baithak was constructed in 1908 at the initiative of Rana PM Chandra Shumsher after his visit to Britain. Since then, it became a venue for holding meeting with diplomats until the start of Panchayat regime.
Meanwhile, Nau Tale Durbar (nine-story palace) is being reconstructed by China. China is preparing to complete the reconstruction work by 2022.
The then Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Chinese DPM Wang Yang on August 15, 2017 had jointly laid the foundation stone for its reconstruction. It is estimated that reconstruction work would cost up to Rs 160 million.
A technical team from China are being deputed in the reconstruction work. "Reconstruction work has gained pace though it does not seem from outside," engineer Jha said, "We are reconstructing focusing on the weather patterns and reconstruction of inner parts is done during rainy days. We are confident that the reconstruction will be completed within the said time."
The Nau Tale Durbar was constructed at the initiative of Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1826 B.S.
Meanwhile, Japan is conducting a study on reconstruction of Shree Krishna and Maha Bishnu temples at the Hanumandhoka area. Japan is also conducting a study on reconstruction of other palace built during the Malla period and Mahadev temple at Bhandarkhal Garden.
Few other small temples excluding Kasthamandap are being reconstructed at the initiative of locals and the Department of Archaeology. The department has said it has completed reconstruction of some temples as well.
While the reconstruction works of heritage sites in Kathmandu Durbar Square are being undertaken by three countries, the foreign aid in Bhaktapur Durbar Square has been prohibited.
The municipality has said that reconstruction work in Bhaktapur Durbar Square is speeding up without any foreign support. The municipality has also formed consumer committees to support the reconstruction works. The municipality will do only such works which such committee fail to do.
"We're doing reconstruction work by ourselves. Many countries have turned up for helping us," Bhaktapur Mayor Sunil Prajapati said, "Municipality denizens come by themselves to help in reconstruction work of heritage. They even say that municipality should cone into the picture only when it is not possible for them to complete. That's why we don't need to take help of other countries."
The municipality is also reconstructing Badhashala, Rameshwor, Tahapalcha, Siddhilaxmi and other temples at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, maintaining its structural significance prior to that of 1990 BS earthquake. For this, the municipality has urged the locals for their support. Investigations and studies have been conducted asking historical photos from various people.
"We've enough sculptors. We're also training new sculptors," Mayor Prajapati said, "We should not only prioritize today's generation. Construction of heritage is also for the coming generations."
Reconstruction of as many as 136 temples that suffered full and partial damages in the municipality is underway.
