Govt office reconstruction accelerates three years after Jajarkot quake

By Bashudev Sharma 

Jajarkot, Apr. 14: Three years after a devastating earthquake in Jajarkot, reconstruction of damaged government offices in the district has gathered pace.

The rebuilding process, led by the Intensive Urban and Building Construction Project, has begun for 22 government structures, including the District Administration Office and the District Coordination Committee, which were severely damaged in the quake.

According to officials, reconstruction work is underway on several key buildings, including those within Jajarkot Hospital, the Maide Community Clinic in Bheri Municipality–1, the Agriculture Development Office, the District Prison Office, the District Post Office, and a health post in Kushe Rural Municipality–4. Residential quarters for the District Administration Office are also being rebuilt.

Similarly, construction of the Health Office building is ongoing, alongside integrated urban infrastructure development projects in Chhedagad Municipality and Nalgad Municipality under the government’s urban development programme.

Information Officer Purna Prasad Sharma said proposals have been submitted for multi-year approval to reconstruct additional structures, including the District Court, Seto Durbar and Rato Durbar, as well as the Project Implementation Unit office. Meanwhile, projects such as a meeting hall in Shivalaya Rural Municipality–3 and health facilities in Junichande Rural Municipality–1 and other locations remain in the evaluation phase.

Several infrastructure projects have already been completed, including upgrades to the Kalimati–Sirke–Limsa–Mulsam road section in Nalgad Municipality–5, as well as residential and health facility buildings at various local levels.

Seven reconstruction projects were contracted in different phases during the fiscal year 2024/25, with additional agreements signed in 2025. Construction is progressing rapidly, with authorities urging contractors to complete work within agreed timelines.

A total of 24 projects worth approximately Rs. 350 million are currently under construction, while plans worth an additional Rs. 320 million will move forward once approved, according to Project Chief Khadga Bahadur Chaudhary.

However, despite progress in rebuilding government infrastructure, local residents continue to face hardships. Damage to public buildings has disrupted service delivery, and although reconstruction is now advancing, many citizens are still forced to live under temporary tin shelters due to delays in private housing reconstruction.

The earthquake, which struck at midnight on November 3, 2023, with its epicentre in Ramidanda of Barekot Rural Municipality–1, caused widespread damage to both government offices and private homes.