Kathmandu, Sept 9: A year after the Gen Z protests of September 8 and 9, several of Nepal’s most important government buildings remain damaged, some still standing as ugly reminders of the violence that engulfed the capital.
The protests turned violent after the government’s crackdown on demonstrators on September 8, with protesters setting fire to and vandalising government offices, courts and historic buildings on September 9.
Despite the passage of a year, reconstruction of many of the damaged structures has yet to begin. The Department of Urban Development and Building Construction says it has completed technical studies and designs, but work remains stalled because the Finance Ministry has yet to approve the required budget.
Among the most serious cases is the International Convention Centre (BICC) in New Baneshwor, which served as the federal parliament building at the time. Protesters set fire to its gate on the first day and the building was gutted the following day. Although its exterior structure remains standing, the interior was extensively damaged by the fire.
Department Deputy Director General Prakash Aryal said technical studies have concluded that the BICC cannot be restored through retrofitting. The government is considering demolishing the building and either rebuilding it in its original form or constructing a modern replacement. The convention centre was built about three decades ago at a cost of Rs 1.15 billion.
The Prime Minister’s Office and Council of Ministers building at Singha Durbar and the President’s Office at Sheetal Niwas are also awaiting reconstruction. Officials have estimated Rs 1.5 billion for Singha Durbar and Rs 2 billion for Sheetal Niwas. Designs have been prepared, but the projects are awaiting approval from the Department of Archaeology and budget clearance from the Finance Ministry.
Other major structures, including the Godawari Sunrise Convention Centre, the Department of Roads building at Babarmahal and the Kathmandu District Administration Office, also remain stalled because of budget constraints. The Godawari centre alone has an estimated reconstruction cost of more than Rs 600 million.
Some projects, however, have moved ahead. Reconstruction of the Supreme Court building has begun after completion of the tender process. Civil works at the ministerial quarters in Bhaisipati have been completed, with interior work expected to finish by the end of Ashoj. The Education Ministry building has been reconstructed, while revised cost estimates for the Home and Health Ministry buildings are being prepared for tendering next month.
Of 117 federally owned buildings that suffered minor damage, 105 were repaired last fiscal year at a cost of about Rs 130 million. Work on the remaining 12 is nearing completion. Of 83 major buildings that suffered partial or complete damage, 28 have been completed, 22 are under construction and tenders for 33 others are planned this year, requiring an additional Rs 320 million.
Overall, 380 federal government buildings were damaged in the protests: 93 suffered minor damage, 180 partial damage and 105 were completely destroyed. A government committee estimated that rebuilding damaged public structures would cost Rs 36.3 billion. Overall damage to public and government property was estimated at Rs 44.94 billion, with the federal government accounting for 68 percent, provincial governments 10 percent and local governments 22 percent.
The continued delay has raised concerns about government efficiency, while rising construction costs could further increase the eventual reconstruction bill.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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