Construction work of Dharahara halted

BY A STAFF REPORTER, Kathmandu, Dec. 14: Locals in Sundhara have stopped the construction works of new Dharahara project from Monday after the construction company damaged the major water channel of historic Sundhara, Sunday. 

Local people, heritage lovers, chairperson of Ward No. 22 Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) and others reached the construction site on Sunday for regular inspection after they knew about damages caused to the wooden water channel of Sundhara.

They protested against the on-going works by Raman Construction Company that resulted in the damage to Sundhara’s spout while it was digging a huge trench behind Sundhara to construct a water tank.   

Gautam Dongol, a local, said that the construction company tried to hide the damaged water channel by saying they found nothing at the site.

“We again visited the site alongside Mayor Balendra Shah of KMC on Monday morning and found some pieces of broken wooden channel,” he said. 

Organising a press meet on Monday, Mayor Shah expressed deep concerns over the complete disregard of the company. 

The Sundhara is a rich model of Newa art and culture, so it must not be destroyed in the name of reconstruction, he added.  

Mayor Shah, objecting to the negligence on the reconstruction works, urged the contractor to stop the works. 

During a press meet, Mayor Shah questioned the company why the metropolis was not informed while the over 100-year-old historic structure was being demolished. 

Sanjay Nakarmi, project manager of Raman Construction, said that they took the construction work ahead yesterday as per the order of the concerned body and for now, had stopped in line with the order.  

Chini Kaji Maharjan, chairperson of Ward No. 22, said that damaging a major water artery of the historic Sundhara is worrying and that the on-going construction work was stopped at the behest of the mayor.  

An investigation committee comprising representatives from Department of Archaeology, KMC, ward office, expert Padam Sunder Joshi and locals will be formed to study the damage.  

It was informed at the press meet that while the outer structure of the Bhimsen Tower was erected some 200 years ago, the water spring might have been in existence for 400 to 500 years.