The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) started covering the western wing of Singha Durbar with multi-layer plastic sheets on Tuesday to protect the historic building from the monsoon rains.

The front face of the major administrative complex that houses many significant government ministries and other offices suffered severe damage in the Gorkha Earthquake of 2015.

The western wing span an area of 33,100 square feet. A private company, Map Entrepreneur, has been awarded the contract for covering the front wing of the building at Rs10.41 millions, according to Joint Secretary at the NRA Prakash Thapa. The contractor is expected to complete the task in about a week’s time.

An NRA executive committee meeting on February 7, 2017 had formed a committee for the protection of the western side of the building.

A consultant company had suggested demolition of the damaged wing of the building, but the NRA held its ground on restoring the historic monument to it former glory. 

Meanwhile, the NRA has former a subcommittee under its executive committee member Dr Hariram Parajuli for overseeing the reconstruction of the building. It will carry on reconstruction works in consultation with other expert members of the NRA.