The government in June 2012 ago had decided to widen the Mechi Highway, which passes through Fungling Bazaar. As per the plan, the highway is to be widened to 30 meters. "Such a decision will further add to the woes of the fire victims," said Bharat Kumar Shrestha, one of the fire victims.
"The government needs to adopt one of two options -- special relocation of our settlement or cancelation of the road widening scheme," Shrestha said.
Another fire victim, Dil Kumar Meyangbo, threatened protest against the plan to widen the road. Some victims have suggested that the road's width be limited to 12-16 meters so that they do not have to move elsewhere.
The District Administration Office (DAO) of Taplejung on Thursday said that property worth around Rs 440 million was destroyed in Monday's fire.
After the assessment of the damage caused by the fire, three district-based government authorities-- District Disaster Relief Committee (DDRC), District Development Committee (DDC) and District Administration (DAO)--have provided the fire victims with relief materials worth over Rs 2.4 million.
In the fire of Monday which rages for around 16 hours, 44 buildings including those housing some government offices and over two dozen other organizations, were destroyed.
A detailed report prepared by the DDRC in coordination with district chapters of Red Cross and Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) states that 44 houses belonging to 40 households were destroyed in the fire.
Related story
House gutted in early morning fire in Fungling
