Locals irk on construction of water tank for Dharahara, KMC Mayor asked to stop works

Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Balen Shah expressed agitation on ongoing construction of water tank for Dharahara. He strongly asked concerned authorities and construction contractor to halt the works.

Sankata Club located in New Road, Kathmandu organised a press meet to show concerns over the issue where KMC Mayor was invited to speak and support movements to conserve Sundhara and cultural heritage.

Speaking to press and media Shah said that cultural assets must not be destroyed in name of development activities. Sundhara, therefore, must be preserved.

Raman Construction, the construction contractor which has been assigned to construct 100 thousand litre tank, destroyed part of long wooden pipe system of Sundhara. The system was installed centuries ago with traditional technology. That agitated the campaigners and locals. The ward chair Chinikaji Maharjan, campaigners and locals organised press meet. Mayor Shah and technical team inspected the damages before appearing to the press meet.

Project manager of the construction company said that construction works have been carried out as per assignment of concerned agencies. He said workers have been instruction to stop working for the time being.

The press note signed by ward chair and president of the club mentions that the government agencies are hitting cultural assets one after another so as Sundhara is suffered a lot.     

The local organisations demand strong actions and penalties on the wrong doers who destroy cultural assets of Sundhara.

It is also mentioned that the water supply system was constructed 400 to 500 years ago which was later installed with golden tap by Bhimsen Thapa around 200 years ago.