Being reconstructed at a cost of Nepali Rupees 64.9 million, it will follow earthquake-resilient reconstruction norms

In yet another example of the strong commitment to the development partnership with Nepal, the reconstruction of the 68th school under India’s grant assistance has started.

The boomi pooja (ground breaking ceremony) for reconstruction of Shree Bishnu Devi Secondary School at the Chandragiri Municipality, the 68th school under India’s reconstruction grant assistance in the education sector, was carried out today, a statement by the Indian Embassy in Nepal said.

Nepal’s Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Krishna Gopal Shrestha and Head of Reconstruction and Development Cooperation wing of the Embassy of India, Praphullachandra Sharma, carried out the groundbreaking in presence of other officials of the two countries.

The Shree Bishnu Devi Secondary School is being reconstructed at a cost of Nepali Rupees 64.9 million and is being built as per earthquake resilient reconstruction norms of Nepal.

The Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) Roorkee which specializes in earthquake resilient construction will provide technical support for reconstruction of these schools.

The new infrastructure will include three blocks - Educational block, Administrative block, and a Lab and Library block.

There will be 13 classrooms, exam halls, Lab rooms, computer rooms, Library, room for School Management Committee, administrative rooms and separate sanitation facilities for boys and girls, the Indian Embassy release said.

India has committed USD 50 million for reconstruction of total 71 educational institutions across 8 districts of Nepal affected by the 2015 earthquake.

Reconstruction of eight schools has already been completed. The contract for two more schools has also been awarded and work is set to begin soon.

Besides education institutions, India has also given a grant for reconstructing 147 health buildings and retrofitting of 28 cultural heritage sites in 11 districts of Nepal affected by the 2015 earthquake.

Work on both these sectors has begun and India and Nepal are working closely to complete the projects at the earliest.

Earlier, on 3 March India and Nepal signed a MoU for restoration of three cultural sites at a cost of NR 246 million. The three projects to be awarded are Jestha Varna Mahavihara in Lalitpur, Sulighyang Gumba and Shermathang Gumba located in Sindhupalchowk district.