Dec 28, 2017-The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has stopped the reconstruction works of Rani Pokhari after a series of controversy surrounded the restoration process of the Malla-era monument.A meeting held at the KMC on Thursday, where KMC Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya, Deputy Mayor Hari Prabha Khadgi, National Reconstruction Authority secretary and Director General of Department of Archaeology were present, decided to stop the reconstruction of the historical monument.
The meeting also formed an 11-member study committee under the coordination of Former Director General of the Department of Archaeology Bishnu Raj Karki. The committee will conduct a study regarding the reconstruction of Rani Pokhari, which had sustained severe damage during the 2015 earthquake, and present its report within 15 days. Today’s meeting has also decided to halt the ongoing construction until the committee submits its report. Earlier, on Tuesday, dramatic events unfolded as KMC Mayor Shakya had reached the Rani Pokhari reconstruction site and opened the padlock put earlier in the morning by KMC Ward no 28 Chairman Bhairam Khadgi along with locals and several heritage conservationists in the presence of KMC Deputy Mayor Hari Prabha Khadgi. Locals and several heritage conservationists had padlocked the reconstruction site as a protest against insensitive decision on part of the metropolis to use concrete to build a 10-foot boundary wall on the southeastern side of the historic pond, drawing criticism from heritage conservationists and locals.
They also barred some three dozen workers, who were employed by the metropolis to carry out reconstruction works, from entering the ancient heritage site. As per the Ancient Monument Preservation Act, any historic buildings and heritage sites that are over a hundred years old have to be preserved in their original form. Rani Pokhari, or Nhu Pukhu (new pond) in Nepal Bhasa, was built in 1670 AD by King Pratap Malla in memory of his son, to appease his wife.
Published: 28-12-2017 13:17
source; kathmandupost.ekantipur.com
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