After a long gap, Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is all set to start the reconstruction of Rani Pokhari that was ravaged by the earthquake on April 25, 2015.

The KMC is currently evaluating the bids of two companies—Rabina Construction and Worldwide Sunkoshi Kandel JV.

KMC Joint Spokesperson Nawaraj Dhakal said the metropolis would award the contract of reconstruction within two weeks after evaluating the bids.

The selected company will be working for the overall beautification of the Rani Pokhari spread in over 63 ropanis of land and its outer infrastructure development, excluding the Balgopaleshwor temple. Officials at the metropolis said the construction work would be completed within nine months.

The KMC in April had terminated its contract with Wordwide Kandel KNKG JV, citing the company’s failure to work as per schedule.

This time, according to Dhakal, the metropolis has allocated Rs 150 million for Rani Pokhari’s reconstruction. The metropolis will construct the pond as per its original state.

After the pond is ready, different varieties of fishes would be kept in the pond. In 2016, the metropolis had relocated the pond’s fishes to Kamal Pokhari.

Last year in January, Kamal Pokhari saw the mass death of fish relocated from Rani Pokhari due to a drop in oxygen level and extreme cold.

Earlier this year, activists and residents criticized the KMC for constructing a 10-foot concrete boundary wall on the southeastern side of the historic pond.

The metropolis removed the concrete wall, spending Rs 1.6 million, after its standoff with Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya, Deputy Mayor Hari Prabha Khadgi and criticism from heritage experts.  

King Pratap Malla built the historic pond, aka Nhu Puku (New Pond), in 1670 in memory of his son to appease

his wife.