Makwanpur district project implementation unit of the National Reconstruction Authority is constructing two integrated settlements at Jogital in Manhari Rural Municipality-5 and Baramtar in Kailash Rural Municipality Ward No. 10, in the district.

The preliminary work for the project has already started, said Rabin Pathak, an engineer at the unit. The settlements would benefit the slum dwellers in Raksirang and Kailash rural municipalities. The land needed for the project has already been acquired, according to Pathak. The beneficiaries of the project will contribute labour.

The National Reconstruction Authority has allocated Rs4 million for the settlements and Rs15 million for the renovation of infrastructure at Chitlang in Thaha Municipality. Chitlang is noted for ancient monuments, including Ashoka Chaitya.

According to Pathak, the unit has plans to construct two unified settlements and renovate infrastructure in three other settlements. “The projects will be completed by this fiscal year,” said Pathak.

Nearly five years since the earthquakes, about 41 percent of the victims have rebuilt their houses in Makwanpur, according to the implementation unit.

A total of 34,319 households have been enlisted as beneficiaries in Makwanpur district. Among them, according to the project implementation unit, 29,505 families signed an agreement for the housing reconstruction aid.

The government provides Rs300,000 to each household to build a new house. The beneficiary gets Rs50,000 in the first tranche, followed by Rs150,000 and Rs100,000 in the second and third instalments respectively. A beneficiary receives Rs100,000 to retrofit the earthquake-ravaged house.