The historical monument of Dharahara which was completely destroyed by the devastating earthquake of April 25, 2015 is set to be rebuilt in a mixed style keeping its ancient cultural significance intact. 

A stakeholders meeting organised under the chairmanship of Govind Raj Pokharel, Chief Executive Officer of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA), on Monday forged an agreement to this effect.

At the meeting, Pokharel highlighted on the importance of Dharahara as a monument which stands as nation’s identity and insisted that reconstruction efforts should move at a fast pace to complete the process within three years.

Of the estimated 8 billion rupees required for rebuilding the monument, around 90 million has been collected till now by ‘Mero Dharahara Mai Banauchu’ campaign.

 “Mero Dharahara Mai Banauchhu” campaign had started collecting money for rebuilding the monument that completely collapsed in the devastating earthquake. Nepal Telecom had shown interest in the reconstruction but the procedure had not made any concrete progress.

Due to lack of necessary coordination between Metropolitan office, Nepal Telecom, Department of Archaeology and other departments, the Reconstruction Authority had drawn the attention of concerned agencies to prioritise the reconstruction of Dharahara.

Saying that the reconstruction work failed to gain momentum due to tussle between various departments, NRA’s executive committee member Hariram Parajuli said the process would now be taken forward with due priority.

He informed that the 3-D model of the Dharahara to be rebuilt would be presented at a meeting of Nepal Telecom on Sunday and the reconstruction work would begin subsequently.

Dharahara was built in the memory of Queen Tripura Sundari Devi under directive of then Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa in 1882 BS.

After it was damaged by the earthquake of 1990 BS, the then Prime Minister Juddha Sumsher Rana had rebuilt the monument. The 2015 earthquake, however, had completely destroyed the historical Dharahara.