Sujata Awale's Blog: Damaged monuments pose a threat

Indifferent authorities put people’s lives in danger

Sujata Awale

Photos by: Sujata Awale

Kathmandu

Kathmandu denizens are obliged to live in constant danger as the concerned authorities have not taken steps to protect them from vulnerable structures. More than a year has passed since the earthquake damaged and destroyed several buildings, monuments and structures. Due to negligence and slow pace of work even today many damaged structures pose a threat to locals and people passing by them.

A real threat

One example is the Bhimsen Thapa Durbar at Lagan Tole. Last year’s earthquake led to the collapse of three fourth of the palace. The remaining portion is in a critical condition and could collapse any moment especially with the heavy rains now. The walls of the palace have severe cracks and the northern part is tilted. Two weeks ago, Kathmandu Metropolitan City constructed a surrounding walls, however, after heavy rainfall on July 1, the new wall on the northern part collapsed. Luckily nobody was injured or killed.

English Preparatory School ( EPS) located in the north escaped a tragedy, as the palace could have collapsed on top of the school premises. “ The damaged Bhimsen Thapa Durbar poses a constant risk to 300 school students and staffs. Why the government has not demolished such a vulnerable structure is an answer we are demanding,” said Nirmala KC, a non- teaching staff at EPS who also lives on the school premises. According to her, there are three schools — Gautam High School, EPS and Green Peace School in the locality plied by school- goers in and the road section is one of the busiest that leads to Sundhara.

Whose job is it anyway?

Bhimsen Thapa Durbar is public property under the Nepal Army’s Gyarijun Gaan. “ After heavy rainfall, a landslide took place and the constructed wall collapsed.

The northern part of the palace has parted and tilted more than before,” informed an army officer deployed at the palace. He further warned that the building can collapse anytime as rainfall makes it more dangerous. But even the army is helpless. “ This Durbar is a public historic monument that falls under the jurisdiction of the DoA. Being a historic monument, our hands are tied,” said Brigadier General Tara Bahadur Karki, Spokesperson at Nepal Army. According to him, they have written to the concerned department about the status of the building.

The status of the Mangalbazar Police Station building is no different. The government pasted a red sticker on it after quick assessment of the building. The threestorey building has severe cracks and is smack in the middle of a busy road in Patan. As a temporary solution, the police station functions from a tent in front of the building. “ We are aware of the risk that the building poses to the general public as well as police officers working here,” said Resham Bohara, Police Inspector at Mangalbazar Police Station.

He further said, “ As this building is at a World Heritage Site, Lalitpur Sub- Metropolitan City Office needs to take permission from the DoA in order to demolish or retrofit the building.” According to him, they got a letter to empty the building from the municipality and also to assist with manpower to demolish the building. However, he said that they are yet to decide and analyse available human resource to demolish the building.
According to him, Three Star Club is still using the building. Citing that the status of Police stations in other locations are also pathetic, he said, “ Police stations lack proper infrastructure and we are obliged to reside in temporary shelters or in makeshift tents.”

Real risks

These two are just examples. There are hundreds of monuments, buildings, structures, temples, private properties damaged by the earthquake that pose a risk. It is clear that the state of such partially damaged structures is worsening day by day. However, the concerned authority DoA is in no hurry. Even after a year it has not even started structural analysis of partially damaged monuments.

“ Due to lack of resources and technical expertise, we are not able to conduct structural analysis of damaged monuments ,” said Damodar Gautam, Chief Archaeological Officer at DoA. He further said, “ We agree that it is already late for reconstruction of monuments.
But it doesn’t mean that DoA is not working. We are making a detailed documentation of partially and completely damaged monuments with drawings.” According to him, World Heritage Sites are their top priority and focus is on their documentation and study. On the status of Bhimsen Durbar, he said, “ We have conducted a preliminary study after the earthquake but at that time due to lack of resources we could not do anything.” He further said that he will deploy staff for site inspection to report the current status and as a preliminary mitigation option they will keep wooden beams as support and curtains to protect the building.

When asked on the plans for the building, he said, “ I cannot say it right now without the site inspection report. But we will take care of the property and make sure their won’t be any human casualty. If necessary, we will demolish the building.” According to him, they have Rs 340 million for reconstruction of monuments and till date they are in the bidding process for reconstruction of 49 monument projects.

Dr Sudha Shrestha, Professor, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning at the Institute of Engineering, said, “ It is already too late to manage or demolish vulnerable structures that pose a constant threat to the city dwellers. While city dwellers have to live with the threat everyday, it shows the failure of the government.” She added “ It has already been a year after the earthquake and the Department of Archaeology is still doing nothing about vulnerable structures.” Citing that the process of documentation of cultural and heritage buildings and temples takes time, she said, “ However, it does not mean that the government should take forever to demolish or retrofit such structures. In this emergency, the DoA in associated with NRA has to introduce required Emergency Policy to work on fast track.”