Govt launches reconstruction campaign

Kathmandu, Sept. 26: In response to the widespread damage of public infrastructure during the Gen-Z protests on September 8–9, the government has launched an ambitious national reconstruction campaign aimed at rapid recovery and long-term economic revival. 

A high-level committee has been formed and a Physical Infrastructure Reconstruction Fund has been established to mobilise resources both domestically and internationally.

Announcing the initiative, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Urban Development, Kul Man Ghising, called on all sectors—government agencies, the private sector, Nepali citizens at home and abroad, development partners, and international organisations—to contribute generously to the Reconstruction Fund.

“This initiative is a beacon of hope, transforming losses into an opportunity to rebuild stronger, more inclusive infrastructure that serves all Nepalis,” Minister Ghising said during a press conference on Thursday.

The Fund, created to restore vandalised and destroyed public properties, is now accepting contributions, said Ghising. Contributors can be deposited into the account number 1960100102070004 at the Singha Durbar branch of Rastriya Banijya Bank.

Financial contributions made by individuals will also be deductible from their taxable income for the current fiscal year, making it easier for citizens to support the effort.

The government had appealed for support by establishing a fund on Wednesday for the reconstruction of physical structures damaged during the Gen-Z movement.

In the meantime, a reconstruction committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the Finance Minister and a reconstruction action plan has been approved.

In the wake of this turmoil, the government is committed to a swift and transparent transition towards stability and renewal, he said. 

"Recognising the immense challenges ahead, the government has established a dedicated Fund to spearhead the restoration efforts. This initiative is a beacon of hope, transforming losses into opportunity for rebuilding stronger, more inclusive public infrastructure that serve all Nepali," he said.

The government has called on everyone to participate in the great campaign of nation reconstruction by making invaluable contributions to the Fund from the government of Nepal, provincial and local governments, the private sector, domestic and foreign citizens, the non-resident Nepali community, friendly countries, development partners, and international organisations.

Minister Ghising said that the objective of the reconstruction fund is to systematically restore and rehabilitate the vandalized public properties, ensuring Nepal's public assets are revived to their full functionality within the shortest possible timeframe.

He said that a huge damage has been caused due to arson and vandalism and that everyone's cooperation is indispensable for economic revival and reconstruction. 

As per the decision of the Council of Ministers on September 21, a Physical Infrastructure Reconstruction Committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal. 

The committee will have the Home Minister, Urban Development Minister, Chief Secretary as members and Secretary at the Ministry of Urban Development as member secretary.

The committee will be responsible for formulating an action plan for the reconstruction of structures damaged during the protests, approving programmes and conducting regular monitoring. 

At a press conference, Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal has said that the government has started the reconstruction work without waiting for anyone's help.

He also said that the ministries and other bodies that have suffered physical damage will continue to be reconstructed from their own budget. 

"Reconstruction is a priority for the government and the state. Even if someone offers assistance, we have already started work without waiting for that aid. Some police offices and courts need to be reconstructed immediately, but these works have been started," Khanal said. "We have told the concerned bodies that we will continue to work within our budget and that the Ministry of Finance will provide assistance if it is insufficient."

Khanal said that government is raising the expenses for the election and reconstruction by postponing and freezing projects that are not considered immediately necessary. 

He said that projects that are not considered immediately necessary have been frozen and some have been postponed. Finance Minister Khanal said that money is being deposited in this fund and the reconstruction work is also progressing.

The fund will prioritise for conducting rapid structural assessments of affected public buildings to identify urgent repair and maintenance needs of the public building and prompt action, said Ghising.

"The fund will not only repair physical damage but also heal societal wounds, reinforcing Nepal's democratic values and commitment to good governance. The reconstruction will symbolize our nation's unbreakable resolve to rise from adversity, creating safer, more accessible public spaces for generations to come," he said.

He said that all funds will be managed through audited channels, with quarterly progress reports shared publicly via the official government portal. 

As per the preliminary estimates, public infrastructure worth at least Rs. 100 billion have been damaged across the country due to the Gen-Z movement.

Earlier, the private sector said that it faced a loss of around Rs. 80 billion in damage caused by arson and vandalism during the protest.