May 7: Stakeholders on Monday laid the foundation stone for the reconstruction of the historic Thanthu Durbar in Bhaktapur Dubar Square area. The Thanthu Durbar was constructed 346 years ago.    
Speaking at a programme organised by Bhaktapur municipality on the occasion, Secretary of the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party and lawmaker Prem Suwal said excavation of 99 thoroughfares in Bhaktapur Durbar area should be continued.    
Pointing out the need of examination from technicians whether or not 100-year-old houses in Bhaktapur are safe to live in, he stressed the need of protecting originality in reconstruction of heritages.    
Similarly, Coordinator of Thanthu Durbar Reconstruction Direction Committee and Mayor of Bhaktapur municipality, Sunil Prajapati, shared Bhaktapur municipality had been operating its activities from Thanthu Durbar before 2072 BS.    
The municipality now has forwarded the work of reconstruction of Thanthu Durbar keeping it in priority. An estimated cost for the reconstruction of the Thanthu Durbar is Rs 128.5 million.    
Bagmati Province Assembly member Srijana Sainju, Deputy-Mayor of Bhaktapur municipality Rajani Joshi, Chief District Officer of Bhaktapur Roshani Kumari Shrestha, among others were present on the occasion. -- RSS