Housing Crisis Looms for Newly Appointed Nepali Ministers as Quarters Remain Damaged

Kathmandu. As preparations for forming a new government proceed following the conclusion of the House of Representatives elections, a significant shortage of government housing has emerged for the incoming ministers.

The newly constructed ministerial residence complex in Bhaisepati, Lalitpur, is currently uninhabitable following vandalism, looting, and arson that occurred there on Bhadra 24. This state-of-the-art housing area, built with an investment of approximately 1.34 billion Nepali Rupees, has turned into ruins just one year after coming into use.

According to the Federal Secretariat Construction and Management Office in Singha Durbar, the complex, which consists of 27 buildings, is currently completely damaged. With the residential area unfit for habitation, efforts have begun to arrange alternative accommodation for the new ministers. The government plans for ministers who own private residences in the Kathmandu Valley to stay in their own homes, while arrangements will be made for ministers without houses to rent accommodation.

The government has initiated the process for the reconstruction of the damaged ministerial residences. The office informed that technical studies have been conducted on the heavily damaged buildings and tenders have been called for reconstruction. Work will commence after selecting a qualified construction company and signing an agreement, with the government targeting completion of the reconstruction by the end of Ashar of the current fiscal year.

Photo: Nepal Photo Library