The National Reconstruction Authority has authorised the local level to build an integrated settlement for up to 99 households. The decision is in line with the Integrated Settlement Development Procedure-2018 approved by the NRA executive committee on Thursday.

According to the provision, the rebuilding authority will provide conditional grants for the local authorities through the District Level Project Implementation Units once the plan of developing the integrated infrastructure is approved.

The rebuilding body said in a statement that the plan will prioritise needy quake survivors. Those living in risky areas, landless people, beneficiaries listed for government benefits as part of grievance management, beneficiaries not listed for the benefits and those not signing grant agreements with the authority, and beneficiaries who haven’t started rebuilding houses even after the grant agreement will be prioritised in the integrated settlement process.

According to NRA Chief Executive Officer Sushil Gyewali, the move, which also aims to bring together families from scattered locations, is expected to manage a well-facilitated habitat.

Three options have been laid out for developing the integrated settlements. For people living in geologically risky areas, safe location will be identified and basic infrastructure built. People of such risky areas might be accommodated in a number of separate integrated settlements. Secondly, if an integrated settlement doesn’t fit the number of households from a particular area, the plan will be revisited to relocate only the families situated in vulnerable zones. Thirdly, families that are scattered and are willing to be a part of the integrated settlement can live close to each other.

As per the procedure, the government will provide Rs300,000 per household for developing a settlement in the Tarai region, Rs400,000 in the hilly region and Rs500,000 in mountainous region.

The government agreed in 2015 to build integrated settlements in the districts severely affected by the earthquake. The settlements would have facilities like roads, drinking water, electricity, public toilets, health posts, community buildings and schools.