As the distribution of reconstruction aid has been delayed in several affected districts, many earthquake survivors in Nuwakot have started rebuilding houses on their own.

Quake survivor Krishna Prasad Pandey of Bidur-1 said he had taken a loan from Nepal Bank Limited to construct a new house. “We have stayed a whole year under a temporary hut. We can wait no longer,” said Pandey, recounting hardships

that his family faced for a whole year.

Though the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has set up its office in the district, works have not gathered momentum due to a lack of human resource. Radhika Ghale of Bidhur-3 said the NRA has not worked efficiently in the district.

Manager of the Bidur branch of Rastriya Banijya Bank Keshav Gajurel said many quake survivors have asked for home loan. Commercial banks are approving loans charging eight to 10 percent depending on the condition of the affected families, said Gajurel. Victim Sabita Thapa, who has taken a loan to construct her house, said they have not got soft loans for reconstruction. “Though the government announced soft loans, we have been compelled to pay high interests,” she said.