Old Hanumandhoka Police Office to be demolished

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Jan. 27: The old building of the District Police Office at Hanumandhoka, rendered unsafe after suffering cracks during the 2015 earthquake, is set to be demolished within a week.

The decision was taken on Sunday following a field visit by Minister for Home Affairs Om Prakash Aryal, Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki, representatives of the Department of Archaeology and heritage conservationists. 

Local residents and heritage activists had long been pressing for the removal of the dilapidated structure and the construction of a heritage-friendly building in its place. It was agreed that demolition work would begin within a week, alongside preparations for new construction, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

A committee will be formed within a day or two under the coordination of heritage activist Yadab Lal Kayastha, with representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, the Department of Archaeology and Nepal Police. The committee will oversee the demolition process with support from the concerned agencies.

According to Kayastha the site would be developed into an artistic, Malla-era-style sattal (rest house). 

The planned two-storey structure will house a police museum on the ground floor and a police security post on the upper floor. 

Police personnel deployed there will wear cultural attire and receive training on heritage conservation, with a focus on safeguarding the Hanumandhoka premise which is listed in the World Heritage Site.

Although the land belongs to Nepal Police, the new structure is planned to be built with police investment. However, given the substantial budget required, the Department of Archaeology and Kathmandu Metropolitan City have also expressed willingness to provide support, according to Nepal Police.

Located opposite the Kalbhairav statue, the Hanumandhoka police building is a dilapidated condition. 

It previously housed the District Police Range Office, Kathmandu, from 1955 until 2015. Following the earthquake damage, the office was relocated to Teku and later to a modern facility at Ramshahpath. 

Despite its unsafe condition, a small number of police personnel have continued to stay in the building for security purposes, but they will be relocated once the demolition begins.