The government has relaxed restrictions on construction of new houses in Kathmandu Valley.
After a 7.8 magnitude earthquake destroyed more than 100,000 houses in the valley on 25 April, the government had instructed all District Development Committees (DDCs), Municipalities and Village Development Committees (VDCs) to not approve any house designs.
In a new circular, the government has instructed all DDCs, Municipalities and VDC offices to approve house designs submitted before 18 May. However, these house designs must have followed the National Building Code. Also, designs of high-rise buildings must be accompanied by soil test certificates.
Soil tests can be conducted by only those engineers who have been registered at Nepal Engineering Council (NEC), according to the new circular.
However, the Ministry of Local Development and Federal Affairs has not revoked a temporary ban on registration of new house designs at the DDCs, Municipalities and VDC offices. The ban will remain in effect until the last day of the current fiscal year.
The ministry has also asked local government bodies to implement the National Building Code in the newly-declared municipalities of the valley until the next notice.