Nepalese people participate in a candlelight vigil to mark the third anniversary of the devastating earthquake near the ruins of Kastamandap temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, April 25, 2018. April 25 this year marks the third anniversary of a deadly earthquake in the country that killed more than 8,000 people and injured 16,000 more others, with half a million people homeless. (Xinhua/Sunil Sharma)
By Shristi Kafle
KATHMANDU, April 25 (Xinhua) -- April 25 this year marks the third anniversary of a deadly earthquake in the country that killed more than 8,000 people and injured 16,000 more others, with half a million people homeless.
Three years on, the country has moved toward political stability with the promulgation of a new constitution and the formation of federal parliaments.
However, the post-quake reconstruction is still slow as over half of the damaged houses, schools, health centers, heritage sites and structures are need to be rebuilt.
"We don't have time to wait or linger. We need to lead the country toward economic development so let's focus on reconstruction simultaneously. Let's move ahead with unity," Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said in an event to commemorate the earthquake on Wednesday morning.
Addressing the event held in the ruins of the historical nine-storey tower Dharahara in Kathmandu, the prime minister reiterated the commitments to intensifying reconstruction efforts.
"I would like to urge all to support in 'I will build Dharahara myself' campaign to rebuild this iconic tower. Let's rebuild our heritage sites like Dharahara, Rani Pokhari, Kasthamandap and Basantapur."
The devastating quake damaged 753 cultural heritage cites of the country which were the major attractions for the foreign tourists. According to the National Reconstruction Authority, a government body formed to handle post-quake recovery, the reconstruction of 100 such sites has been completed so far. The reconstruction of 329 affected heritage sites is underway.
However, locals, who regard the heritage sites as an integral part of their history, culture and lives, have been disappointed over the slow progress of the post-quake reconstruction.
Rajan Maharjan, a local resident of Kathmandu Durbar Square, shared with Xinhua "We feel sad that the government is not that serious toward the reconstruction of the sites which carry the history of centuries. It's our identity and part of life. We want to see it as before at the earliest."
The international community is helping the Nepali government with the post-quake reconstruction, including China, the United States and Japan.
"Reconstruction of 141,626 private houses has been completed while 436,250 houses are under different stages of reconstruction. We can complete the reconstruction of all the private houses within the next 15 months," NRA's Chief Executive Officer Yubaraj Bhusal told the media on Tuesday.
Many of the displaced families are still living under tarpaulins and temporary houses in various districts like Sindhupalchowk, Dolakha, Dhading, Nuwakot and Rasuwa. They are complaining that the government has not done its best to ease their plight.
Manoj Balami, a local of Nagarjun municipality located in the outskirts of Kathmandu, told Xinhua: "the government's grant is not sufficient to rebuild the house as per their standard. The process is not that easy either so I am still living in a rented room."
