Dharahara being inaugurated today: Here are things you should know all about it
KATHMANDU, April 24: Recently reconstructed Dharahara tower, which was destroyed by the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, is being inaugurated on Saturday.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to inaugurate the Dharahara at 11:00 am today, according to the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA).
Dharahara was first built by the first Prime Minister of Nepal Bhimsen Thapa in 1881 BS. The tower, popularly known as Bhimsen Stambha, was 11-story in the beginning. It was, however, confined to nine during the reign of Juddha Shumsher as it was brought down by the earthquake that took place in 1934 AD.
The iconic tower is being reconstructed in the original architectural style. It will be taller and wider. The new 23-storey tower is 92.25 meters tall including the pinnacle. It will also have two more basement floors, which are currently under-construction. The new tower is also equipped with two elevators with a capacity of holding 10 people at a time. Traditional staircase has also been built to take the visitors to the top.
Visitors can have a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley from the 20th floor where a 2.5 meter-wide balcony has also been built.
Spanning 42 ropanis of lands, the Dharahara premises will feature a museum, a water fountain, a garden, a restaurant, a stone-spout and an advanced parking lot. The parking area will have the capacity of accommodating 350 four wheelers and 6,000 two-wheelers. A three-storey underground parking facility will be built in the area which is presently occupied by the postal office building. The Department of Printing under the Nepal Rastra Bank has also been shifted to Babarmahal.
Raman Construction was awarded the contract to reconstruct Dharahara at an estimated cost of Rs 3.48 billion.
The Dharahara, however, will not be open to the public for some more time since other structures are still under-construction. It may take until November for the Dharahara to be opened for the public, according to authorities concerned.
Leave Comment