Officials at the ministry have said that the earthquake victims constructing houses should compulsorily choose a model from among the 20 models developed by the ministry as the models have earthquake-resistant design and encourage maximum use of local materials.
"All the 20 models encourage maximum uses of mud, stones, wood and other domestic construction materials," said Padma Kumar Mainali, spokesperson and joint-secretary of the ministry.
He said that earthquake victims can make minor changes to the outer appearance of the houses but they cannot change technical design of the structure.
The ministry said that the front facade of the model houses reflects Nepalese traditional building designs. The ministry will publish construction manuals for constructing the model houses.
Ramesh Singh, director general of Department of Urban Development and Building Construction under the ministry, said the construction costs of the models of houses ranges from Rs 200,000 to Rs 3,000,000.
Spokesperson Mainali said the developed models of houses are awaiting approval as the government is yet to appoint an urban development minister.
The ministry developed the house models right after it approved procedures to release grant assistance for reconstruction of the buildings completely damaged by the earthquake.
The procedures state that the government shall provide Rs 200,000 per earthquake victim willing to construct buildings worth the amount. However, if the construction cost crosses the amount, the victims have to bear the cost by themselves.
Likewise, as per the procedures, the government will provide subsidized loan of Rs 2,500,000 to earthquake victims residing in urban areas and Rs 1,500,000 to victims in rural areas for constructing houses.
However, as the government has yet to form a reconstruction authority, reconstruction work in the earthquake-affected areas is in limbo even after eight months since the April 25 earthquake.
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