New Namuna Basti by Dhurmus Suntali

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today made a field visit to integrated model settlement built for the disappearing Pahari community in Dandagaun of Panchkhal Municiplaity-16, Kavre.

Comedians Sitaram Kattel(Dhurmus) and Kunjana Ghimire(Suntali) constructed the integrated settlement for earthquake victims from the Pahari community.

Observing the settlement, Prime Minister Oli thanked the comedian duo for their commendable work. “We shall emulate the structure while reconstructing destroyed infrastructures in other parts of the country,” Oli said.

The settlement constructed jointly by comedy television programmes Meri Bassi, Bhadragol and social networking site Sagun.Com has been named Dhurmus-Suntali Integrated Model Settlement.

They had built as many as 18 houses for the model settlement in 70 days. “We worked from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm for 70 days to make this happen,” said Sitaram.

Eighteen families have been provided with one house each, two guest houses, five bio-gas plants, 21 toilets, 20 water taps and 20 Dish Home connections. Integrated Model Settlement Construction Coordinator Kunjana said they had invested Rs 6,736,826 for the project. According to her, one house cost Rs 336,839. The settlement had received Rs 4,767,150 as financial assistance from donors. Sand, cement, cemented fiber, zinc sheet, among others, were used to build the houses.

Earlier, ministers, leaders and artistes had hailed the comedian duo for their outstanding job.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today said the government would start work on reconstruction in three phases.

“We shall commence work on three different dates — February 28, March 29 and April 24,” he said.