1,100 km of roads in quake-hit districts yet to be rebuilt

KATHMANDU, April 13: Work to rebuild 1,100 kilometres of roads in districts affected by the 2015 earthquakes is yet to commence even though the term of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) is expiring in two years.

According to the 56th Annual Report of Office of Auditor’s General (OAG), National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) spent Rs 186 billion in Fiscal Year 2016/17 and 2017/18 for different reconstruction works in 14 worst-affected and 17 affected districts.

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Of the total amount, Rs 114.76 billion was spent in FY2017/18.

The target to rebuild all quake-hit houses within two years couldn’t be accomplished, according to the report. Of the total 823,000 houses damaged by the earthquake, only 268,000 houses, or 32.63 percent of the houses, were rebuilt till FY2017/18. Similarly, another 52,000 houses that need to be retrofitted, only 7,000, or 14.3 percent, have been retrofitted.

The NRA had set a target of rebuilding educational and health institutions within three years. Of the total 1,200 damaged health institutions, 640, or 53.71 percent, have been rebuilt so far. Similarly, of the total 7,500 community schools, 3,800 schools, or 50.52 percent, have been rebuilt. Likewise, buildings of two out of 16 universities have been rebuilt. 

Of 686 buildings of security agencies that need to be rebuilt, only 214, or 31.19 percent, 

have been rebuilt, the report shows. The report shows that reconstruction of 185 of 753 historical and cultural monuments; and 1,700 out of 3,000 (56.83%) drinking water and sanitation projects have been completed.