KATHMANDU, Sept 27: During the Gen-Z movement on September 9, government buildings and vehicles across Nepal were set on fire and vandalized, causing losses estimated at around Rs 104 billion. According to preliminary data collected by a team from the Nepal Engineers’ Association, about Rs 100 billion worth of government buildings and Rs 4 billion worth of vehicles were damaged.

The assessment team—comprising representatives from the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction and structural engineers—is gathering detailed information nationwide. Sunil Thakur, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Urban Development and head of the Special Building Project, said 380 federal government buildings were damaged: 93 sustained minor damage, 180 partial damage and 105 were completely destroyed.

Nepal Engineers’ Association President Subas Chandra Baral reported that, in addition to federal properties, 60 provincial government buildings and 150 municipal buildings were set ablaze. “Our preliminary report shows that 60 percent of the affected buildings suffered partial damage,” he said. “Twenty percent are unusable, and the remaining 20 percent must be rebuilt from the foundation.”

Nationwide, roughly 400 government vehicles and 600 motorcycles were damaged, with a combined market value of about Rs 4 billion.

Singha Durbar main building need not be demolished from the foundation

Singha Durbar, built 117 years ago in 1908 by then–Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher, was among the buildings recently set on fire. Engineers’ initial findings indicate its main structure does not need to be demolished from the foundation for reconstruction. “A detailed study is still required,” Baral said, urging the government to begin a full assessment immediately.

The building had been restored after the 2015 earthquake. It had also caught fire on July 9, 1973, which destroyed important Foreign Ministry documents. This time, too, it is suspected that crucial documents have been lost. The main building was reconstructed back then as well, with some changes made to its original design.

The fire-ravaged main building of Singha Durbar has now been covered with curtains. Experts stress that reconstruction of the main building must begin immediately.

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According to the preliminary report, the main building of Singha Durbar, the northern wing of the Supreme Court, the Health Ministry building, and the Kathmandu District Court building are in high-risk condition and cannot be fully used. The study concludes that these structures are so hazardous that even entry for cleaning is not allowed.

Physical infrastructure reconstruction fund

The government has begun the process of rebuilding damaged public structures and has established a Physical Infrastructure Reconstruction Fund. The Ministry of Finance created the fund to mobilize contributions from the federal, provincial, and local governments, as well as from the private sector and the non-resident Nepali community.

The loss is beyond price

“At this moment, we civil servants must work tirelessly to give the state a way forward and focus on reconstruction. Even if we have to work under makeshift shelters, we must keep providing services. Police buildings have burned down. The offices of the Land Revenue and Survey Departments have burned down. In such a situation, we have to go there and work.

If anyone misbehaves, the concerned authorities will look into it tomorrow. Right now, we are collecting details of the damage. It appears that losses of around 25–30 billion rupees have already occurred, but the full report is yet to come.

But then, what do we even call damage? Ninety thousand case files of the Supreme Court have been destroyed. Records of Singha Durbar, the Home Ministry, and the Land Revenue Office have burned. Such losses have no monetary value. We have assigned the National Planning Commission, the Ministry of Urban Development, and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority to compile the full assessment.”

–Ek Narayan Aryal, Chief Secretary

Dr. Ramesh Prasad Singh, Former Member, Nepal Planning Commission 

How should the reconstruction of government buildings move forward?

Post-earthquake reconstruction was handled by the Central Project Implementation Unit under the Ministry of Urban Development. Similarly, the Education, Science, and Technology Ministry oversaw its own earthquake-related rebuilding. But today’s situation is different from an earthquake disaster, so it’s necessary to create a separate structure dedicated to this round of reconstruction to speed up the work.

A planned approach is essential, and that requires a distinct body. Without it, delays are inevitable. The existing institutions cannot deliver effective results. Regular government staff can assist, but they alone cannot complete the task. Therefore, a dedicated institution for at least two years is necessary.

So you are suggesting a new authority, like the post-2015 Earthquake Reconstruction Authority?

Yes. Just as we formed a Reconstruction Authority after the 2015 earthquake, we now need a similar, stand-alone body. Call it whatever you like, but it must be a separate structure. Otherwise, work will drag on and risks will increase because many buildings have become unsafe after the recent unrest. Some buildings are so badly damaged that people cannot even enter them. Their immediate reconstruction is critical. Experts should be appointed to the new structure, and it should be placed directly under the Prime Minister’s Office. That would give it both authority and power. Without such an arrangement, reconstruction could take more than five years.

Should the government appoint these experts?

Absolutely. The government must appoint professionals; otherwise, the current bureaucracy will not be able to manage the job efficiently. Immediate resources must come directly from the government. At present, there are many scattered projects with budgets already allocated but lacking proper preparation. These projects should be consolidated, and their funds redirected to reconstruction. Spending must be based on clear priorities.

In the current fiscal year, many projects were inserted on the recommendation of lawmakers, even though they were not ready. These low-priority plans should be set aside so reconstruction can take precedence. This year, each lawmaker was allowed to propose five to seven projects without adequate groundwork.

If we cut these unprepared and small projects, how much can be saved?

Each Member of Parliament was permitted to recommend projects worth up to about Rs 210 million. Eliminating the plans of all 165 MPs could immediately free roughly Rs 150 billion. That amount is sufficient for now because the entire reconstruction will not be completed in a single year—we only need to begin this year.

For example, funds have even been allocated to construct government buildings on land that the government does not legally own. Such allocations must also be cut. Under the Appropriation Bill, the government cannot build on land it does not own, so that money can be redirected.

That is why I believe there will be no shortage of funds for reconstruction.