On September 22, 2020, India and Nepal unveiled a dedicated website (www.goicbrinepal.com) for all information related to education projects under GOI-assisted post-earthquake reconstruction initiatives in Nepal. The website, available in both English and Nepali versions, was launched by Indian Ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Sushil Gyewali, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) of Nepal through video conference.
- The website has been conceptualized and developed by the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee under India’s Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR).Â
- Notably, CBRI, Roorkee, is the Design and Project Management Consultant for the education projects.
Point to be noted:
CBRI has also been appointed as the Design and Project Management Consultant for health sector projects under the Indian government’s post-earthquake reconstruction initiative in Nepal. An agreement for the same was recently signed between the Indian Embassy in Nepal and CBRI.
Background:
Post the devastating earthquake of 2015 in Nepal, which severely hit the 7 districts of Nepal viz Gorkha, Nuwakot, Dhading, Dolakha, Kavrepalanchowk, Ramechhap and Sindhupalchowk, the Indian Government had committed USD 1 billion for the reconstruction of Nepal in form of grant and Line of Credit. Around USD 150 million was allocated for reconstruction in the housing sector, USD 100 million as grant and USD 50 million to be drawn from Line of Credit.
- In the housing sector, over 46,000 out of 50,000 houses have been completed under this support while education, health and cultural restoration projects including 70 schools, one library, 147 health facilities and 28 cultural heritage sector projects are under implementation for reconstruction/retrofitting.
Recent Related News:
- A new four-storey school building, developed with the Indian assistance of Rs 1.94 crore (Nepalese Rupees (NR) 31.13 million) under the Nepal-Bharat Maitri Development Cooperation programme has been inaugurated in Shri Saptmai Gurukul Sanskrit Vidyalaya, located in Ilam district of Nepal to boost the learning environment for students.Â
- India has extended its financial aid by NR (Nepalese rupee) 37.23 million(i.e. Equivalent of Rs.2.33 cr INR) for the construction of the sanitation facility for the pilgrims at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, under the Nepal-Bharat Maitri: Development Partnership as a high impact community development scheme by India.
About Nepal:
Capital– Kathmandu
Prime Minister– Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli
President– Bidhya Devi Bhandari