National Reconstruction Authority (NRA)
Introduction
The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) was established with the main objective of rapid reconstruction of the physical damages caused by the massive earthquakes of April 25 and May 12, 2015 and their aftershocks.
It was officially established with the appointment of Mr. Sushil Gyewali as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on 25 December 2015, according to the Article 3 of the Act Related to the Reconstruction of Earthquake Affected Structures, 2015. According to the Act, the term of the Authority shall be for five years. The Act provides that, if for any reason reconstruction work is not completed within the five-year period, the Government of Nepal may extend the term of the NRA for one year.
Altogether, 8,979 people lost their lives and 22,309 were injured in the 2015 earthquakes. Hundreds of thousands of private houses, government buildings, schools, health institutions and historic and archeological heritage sites were damaged. According to the Post Disaster Needs Assessment, 2015 prepared and published by the National Planning Commission, it was estimated that approximately 7 billion dollars equivalent of physical properties were damaged due to the Gorkha Earthquake.
Scope of Work of NRA
According to Article 3(2) of the Act Related to the Reconstruction of Earthquake Affected Structures, 2015, the jurisdiction/scope of work of the NRA shall be as specified by the Government of Nepal by a notification in the Nepal Gazette. Accordingly, as per the notification in the Nepal Gazette by the Government of Nepal, 32 districts, including 14 highly affected and 18 less affected districts, fall under the scope of work of the NRA
Highly Affected Districts
Okhaldhunga, Dolakha,Ramechhap,Sindhupalchok,Kavrepalanchok,Sindhuli,Bhaktapur,
Kathmandu,Lalitpur,Rasuwa,Nuwakot,Dhading,Gorkha,Makwanpur.
Less Affected Districts
Sankhuwasabha,Bhojpur,Dhankuta,Khotang,Solukhumbu,Chitwan,Tanahu,Lamjung,Kaski,
Parbat,Baglung,Myagdi,Syangja,Palpa,Gulmi,Arghakhachi,Eastern Nawalparasi,Western Nawalparasi.
Objectives of NRA
The NRA’s overall objective is to promptly complete theeconstruction works of the structures damaged by the devastating earthquake of 25 April and May 12, 2015 and subsequent aftershocks, in a sustainable, resilient and planned manner to promote national interest and provide social justice by making resettlement and relocation of the persons and families displaced by the earthquake.
As per the Article 4(1) of the Act Related to the Reconstruction of Earthquake Affected Structures, 2015, the functions and duties of the NRA are as follows:
Institutional Arrangement:
The following organizational arrangement has been made in order to formulate policies and plans for works of the NRA, to approve reconstruction related policies and plans and to make reconstruction related work in an organized and effective manner.
Advisory Council – Chaired by the Honorable Prime MinisterSteering Committee – Chaired by the Honorable Prime MinisterExecutive Committee – Chaired by the CEO
Organizational Arrangement:
The following organizational arrangement has been made by the NRA for making the reconstruction and rehabilitation related works organized and effective.
National Reconstruction Authority Central OfficeCentral Level Project Implementation Unit (CLPIU)Grant Management and Local Infrastructure (CLPIU-GMaLI)BuildingEducationDistrict Level Project Implementation UnitGrant Management and Local InfrastructureBuildingEducation
Arrangements have been made for reconstruction of sectors such as archaeological heritage sties, buildings of security agencies and drinking water from concerned agencies/authorities.
The CEO and the Secretary
As per the Article 11 ofthe Act Related to the Reconstruction of Earthquake Affected Structures, 2015, there is a provision of a full-time CEO working as the chief of the NRA.
Similarly, Article 13 of the Act provides for a Gazetted Special Class Officer of the Civil Service as the Secretary.
Priority Area for Reconstruction:
The following have been specified as the priority area for reconstruction, under the Article 3 of Regulation related toReconstruction of Earthquake Affected Structures, 2015:
Additional support related reconstruction of private housing reconstruction, integrated settlement development and relocation of people and settlements at risk,Reconstruction related to public health institutions,Reconstruction related to public education institutions,Reconstruction related to archaeological and historical heritage sites,Reconstruction related to government buildings,Other public structures and infrastructures as deemed necessary for reconstruction by the NRA.
Total Cost of Reconstruction:
According to the Post Disaster Recovery Framework (PDRF) prepared by the NRA in 2015, the total cost of reconstruction is estimated to be Rs. 938 billion. However, after the mid-term review of PDRF in 2017, the total cost of reconstruction has been estimated at Rs. 630 billion.
Private Housing Reconstruction Grant:
The devastating earthquake of 2015 caused most damage to the private houses. The beneficiaries whose houses were damaged in the earthquake affected districts and identified by the NRA are being supported by the Government of Nepal through grants of Rs. 300,000 provided through the NRA to support the reconstruction of earthquake-resilient houses and by providing free technical assistance from locally-mobilized technicians. With the objective of safe reconstruction, arrangements have been made for disbursement of grant through the banking system, whereby the beneficiaries receive Rs. 50,000 in the first instalment, Rs. 150,000 in the second instalment and Rs. 100,000 in the third and final instalment.
Similarly, the Government of Nepal has been providing a grant of Rs. 100,000 and free technical assistance from locally-mobilized technicians for the beneficiaries listed for retrofitting. Arrangements have been made for the retrofitting beneficiaries to receive Rs. 50,000 in the first instalment and Rs. 50,000 in the second instalment through the banking system.
Appellate Committee
While performing the functions, duties and authority as per theAct Related to the Reconstruction of Earthquake Affected Structures, 2015, the parties not satisfied with the decision or order of the NRA may make an appeal to the Appellate Committee, which is a three-member committee chaired by a Judge designated by the Government of Nepal in recommendation of the Judicial Council from amongst the sitting Judges of the Appellate Court.
Goal of the NRA
The NRA is responsible for the reconstruction of 8,17,000 private houses, retrofitting of 70,000 houses, reconstruction of 7,553 public schools, reconstruction of 891 archaeological and historical heritage sites, reconstruction/retrofitting of 1,197 health institution buildings, reconstruction/retrofitting of 415 government buildings, and reconstruction of 383 security agency buildings. Apart from these, the NRA is also responsible for relocation of inhabitants of risky areas, reconstruction of rural roads, damaged universities, campuses, drinking water and other structures, and rehabilitation of earthquake victims.
For more information:
National Reconstruction Authority
Singha Darbar, Kathmandu
Phone No. 4211482, 4211465
email: info@nra.gov.np
Facebook : National Reconstruction Authority
Twitter : @ NRANepal