The Ga Hiti stone spout in Thamel damaged during a search and rescue mission in the immediate aftermath of last April’s earthquake will be renovated in three months, a committee set for the purpose has said. Thousands of local residents used to rely on the spout for their daily water needs.

The spout located at Ward No 29 was destroyed while dozers were used to remove the rubble of a hotel in the area where nine individuals were crushed to death. 

Announcing the start of the reconstruction campaign on Saturday, the Ga Hiti Reconstruction Committee said 20 workers would be employed each day for the project estimated to cost Rs4.6 million. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City will bear 80 percent of the cost and the rest will be borne by the locals. “Restoration of the spout will be an example of how local initiation and participation can ensure reconstruction of earthquake-damaged structures,” said chief and executive officer of KMC Rudra Singh Tamang at the launch of the spout’s reconstruction on Saturday. “KMC will continue its support to reconstruction efforts initiated at the local-level.”

There are four spouts in Ga Hiti which is spread over two ropani land (10,952 square feet). Water flows through all the spouts all the time but the source is still unknown. There are more than 12,000 households in and around the area, most of which rely on the spout. Historians assume that the spouts shaped as crocodile’s mouth were built in the Lichchhavi period between 400 and 750 CE.

Coordinator of Ga Hiti Reconstruction Committee Bhavi Sharma has said that the locals are fulfilling their duty by joining forces to rebuild their neighbourhood. “As Thamel is a major tourist destination in the country, we as locals have the responsibility to reconstruct its cultural monuments.” The committee has also opened a bank account (at Tourism Development Bank, Thamel, account number 001000318601) for anyone willing to make donations for reconstruction.