Dhading, April 19 –The earthquake victims of Kapurgaun village in Rubi Valley Rural Municipality have built model settlements for themselves after the government failed to take any initiative to carry out reconstruction work.

The settlements comprise 55 houses built in two locations in Dhola of Jwalamukhi Rural Municipality. Various organisations supported the initiative with fund and logistics while the locals donated labour.  As many as 29 houses have been built in Bhuwalepani and 26 houses in Talloale. The settlements were built in 16 months and cover an area of 38 ropani.

According to local social activist Dinesh Tamang, a Canadian organisation called Child Heaven International Nepal provided Rs 2.9 million for construction of the settlements. “The Canadian organisation provided us fund to buy land where the settlements now stand,” said Tamang, who is also the designer of the settlements.

The Salvation Army, Mountaineers for Himalayas Foundation, and other monastic charitable organisations also supported the construction of the settlements. Each house has four rooms, is spread over four ana land and costs 1.4 million rupees to build. The settlements are equipped with basic facilities such as electricity and drinking water.

Meanwhile, local victims rued the government’s apathy towards reconstruction.