The renovation and conservation of Chisapani Gadhi, the historic fort built during the unification of Nepal, has finally been initiated.

All three governments-federal, provincial and local-have allocated budget for the renovation and preservation of the fort.

“The rural municipality has been carrying out renovation work in coordination with the Department of Archaeology. The historically significant fort was in a dilapidated condition for lack of renovation,” said Hidam Lama, chief of Bhimphedi Rural Municipality where the fort is situated.

According to him, the federal government has allocated Rs 1 million, while the provincial government and the local unit have allocated Rs 3 million and Rs 600,000 respectively for the renovation.

The renovation of the fort, cleanliness of its surrounding and construction of a trail to reach the fort are now ongoing.

“Some land plots of the Gadhi have been encroached upon. We have already sent a letter to the concerned people, urging them to vacate the land immediately,” said Lama.

Three houses and a community school building have been built on the fort’s land.

The fort, which is spread on four bighas of land, was constructed in 1801BS during the rule of the Sen king in Makwanpur. The fort was used for military, administrative, trade and immigration purposes after the annexation of Makwanpur to Nepal in 1819 BS. Historians said there was a court, a check post and an office of Badahakim, a post equivalent to the governor of the region, on the premises of the fort.

Bhimphedi Rural Municipality said it would allocate the necessary budget in the upcoming fiscal year for the restoration of the fort.