By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, June 12: Shortage of manpower in lockdown has adversely hit the reconstruction of Dharahara, even though the government had decided to continue the reconstruction works.
The reconstruction of the iconic historical tower in Kathmandu was halted after the completion of its10th floor after the government imposed nationwide lockdown on March 24. The Dharhara will be 22-storey tall.
Reconstruction work of the heritages like Dharhara is expected to complete in the coming fiscal year.
Raju Man Manandhar, an expert of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA), said that the special manpower working in Dharahara tower section were from Saptari district in State 2, and they left for their home a day before the lockdown. They have not yet returned to Kathmandu.
The rebuilding of Dharahara had resumed from May 2 after the government announced to allow continuing the work, but the shortage of workers has resulted in slow progress.
According to Shyam Shrestha, project manager of GIETC-Raman JV, the builder of the tower, only around 30 to 35 workers have been working at the construction site in place of 200 during the normal days.
He said that the demolition of a section of the Kathmandu Mall was going on now.
“We cannot move the demolishing process in full speed as local people have been complaining of the noise pollution. In the absence of other vehicles on the road and people bustling in the markets, activities of bulldozers sound louder,” he said.
The workers are currently busy in mining works.
The shortage of workers would result in missing the deadlines of the construction.
Construction of other structures like triple basement, four-storey museum, roof-top garden, reconstruction of Sundhara, demolishing task of Kathmandu Mall, conservation of Sundhara water spout and preserving the remains of the old Dharahara by using glass framing have also been halted.
According to the NRA, 40 per cent of reconstruction of Dharahara has completed so far.