The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA), the government body formed after the Gorkha Earthquake to carry out post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation works, has started the process of developing an integrated settlement to shift vulnerable settlement of the five most-affected districts.

The 64th meeting of NRA's executive committee held under the coordination of its Chief Executive Officer Govinda Raj Pokhrel decided to go with developing an integrated settlement in each five districts, worst affected by the disaster that had struck the country on April 25, 2015.

The meeting agreed to conduct the feasibility study, prepare a detailed project report and launch an infrastructure construction drive in this regard in collaboration with other organisations/agencies, according to NRA Spokesperson Yamlal Bhusal.

Earlier, a team comprising NRA representatives and geologists identified 112 settlements including Keraunja of Gorkha, Selang of Sindhupalchowk, Khalde of Rasuwa, Urleni of Nuwakot and Besimpa of Dolakha as the vulnerable zones after the quake.

Under the first-phase, the NRA is implementing its plan as a pilot project in the above mentioned areas.

A safe location will be selected by a committee headed by the Chief District Officer of the respective district to shift the vulnerable settlement.

The issues relating to road, drinking water and electricity facilities, development of structure to control water-induced disasters and land acquisition will be addressed from the government level to build an integrated settlement in cooperation with other organisations/ agencies. RSS