The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) will be training 54,000 masons on building earthquake-resilient structures by mid-January 2018 to expedite the post-quake reconstruction of private homes. 

During its 92nd executive committee meeting chaired by Chief Executive Officer Yubaraj Bhusal, the authority also decided to hold a seven-day training in the 14 quake-hit districts that could not be part of the similar programme in the past. Masons in the 17 remaining districts will participate in such training.

NRA Spokesperson Yam Lal Bhoosal said the authority had directed the Ministry of Urban Development and Central Level Project Implementation Units (CLPIUs) to publicise about the training programme. Masons from other districts may participate in the training, the authority said. 

“The meeting has also directed officials to present a clear vision on training 54,000 people by November 21,” Bhoosal said. 

The meeting decided to mobilise officials at District Coordination Committee as focal person in 17 districts which suffered minimal damage from the quake to oversee the reconstruction drive there, according to Bhoosal. 

Besides, the authority has decided to bring private and government buildings as well as home built in the forest areas, which have been recommended for retrofitting in the list of beneficiaries, and conduct grant agreement for providing financial support. 

In the immediate aftermath of the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake, the government decided to provide Rs200,000 per household as private housing rebuilding aid, which was later increased to Rs300,000 to be distributed in three instalments—Rs 50,000, Rs 150,000 and Rs 100,000. 

The amount is being disbursed in three instalments for ensuring that the quake survivors rebuild quake resilient homes in compliance with the guidelines set by the government.

The NRA has allowed the quake survivors until mid-December, 2017 to lodge complaints regarding reconstruction of private homes impacted by the earthquake. 

The authority had deployed engineers and technicians in quake affected districts for re-survey and re-verification purpose in a bid to address the concerns of genuine households. Complaints registered after the deadline will not be entertained, the authority has notified.