KMC objects the destruction of Sundhara’s main stream

KATHMANDU: Balen Shah, the mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), held a press conference during the reconstruction of Dharahara and objected to the fact that the dozer was used to destroy the main stream that sends water to Sundhara.

Mayor Shah stressed the importance of preserving the historical beauty structure, which is a model of Nepal’s original art and culture, during a press conference held this morning at the Sankata Club on New Road in Kathmandu.

He objected to the structure being built in Sundhara and asked the contractors in charge to halt all construction work there.

Raman Construction Company dug a large pit directly behind Sundhara while constructing a massive tank capable of holding 100,000 liters of water, and the historic structure’s main object (a long wooden pipe) was destroyed, local residents, club representatives and the Chairperson of Ward No. 22 protested against the construction on Sunday.

Following the protest, it was clarified at a press conference held today in the presence of Mayor Balen Shah that the metropolitan had no knowledge of the demolition of the century-old historical structure and that the work was carried out without any consultation with the metropolitan corporation.

Mayor Shah has stated unequivocally that he had no advice and did not issue any orders regarding digging in the Sundhara main stream. On this occasion, Mayor Shah, a team of ward chairpersons, and local residents visited the Sundhara tank construction site and directed that all construction work be halted immediately.

Sanjay Nakarmi, project manager of Raman Construction, stated that he had proceeded with the construction of the tank in accordance with the order of the concerned body and that the workers had been instructed to stop work.

On that occasion, in a press statement signed by Chairperson of Ward No. 22 Chinikaji Maharjan and Chairperson of Sankata Club, Indraman Tuladhar, it is mentioned that the existence of Sundhara has come to an end.

The historical beauty of the outer figure was built around two hundred years ago during the time of Bhimsen Thapa, but the source of the water is more than four to five hundred years old, according to the press conference.