Construction of main gate of Palpa Palace delayed

By Our Correspondent,Tansen, July 29: The construction of the main gate at the Palpa Palace Complex in Tansen, scheduled to be completed by June 29, 2024, has experienced delays. 

The demolition of the old door to facilitate repairs of the original door began in March this year. However, the builders have only managed to complete the foundation work. The remaining tasks, including building the door's components and the shingle roof, are yet to begin. The Department of Archaeology awarded the construction contract for the door eight months ago.

NPS Construction of Bhaktapur was awarded the construction contract on January 17 for Rs. 8.1 million. Locals are expressing frustration over the delay, noting that the unfinished construction is making the palace complex look ugly. 

Rajendra Gopal Singh, a local, criticised the slow progress and the lack of informational signage at the construction site. "Although other parts of the palace complex are under construction, there has been a delay with the main gate. The absence of information boards about the construction work has led to confusion and dissatisfaction among the public," he said.

Residents are concerned that the absence of proper notifications may result in uncoordinated work by the builders. After missing the initial deadline, the contract has been extended.

The original door of the palace was built between B.S. 1911 and 1930 B.S. during the tenure of Badri Narsingh Kunwar, brother of then Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana. 

Santosh Lal Shrestha, head of Tansen Municipality, stated that the construction adhered to historical security standards. "The original door, walls and other structures were constructed using hard rock up to four metres wide, as per the security policy of that era," said Shrestha. He assured that the Department of Archaeology was committed to restoring the historic structure to its original form without compromising its quality.