KATHMANDU, Sept 16: Ministries have begun collecting details of vehicles burned and physical structures damaged during the Gen Z movement. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) has formed a damage assessment committee, headed by Joint Secretary Shyam Khadka and the Chief of the Road Maintenance Division, to gather information on losses at the ministry’s departmental, divisional, and project offices.
The committee comprises nine members. “We started work on Sunday and aim to complete everything within three to four days,” Khadka said. Several divisional and project offices across the country reportedly suffered damage, and hundreds of government vehicles were destroyed.
The MoPIT building itself sustained minor damage during the protests. However, the main office of the Department of Roads (DoR) at Babarmal suffered significant losses. Reconstructed just two years ago for Rs 15 million, the building saw many burned vehicles throughout its compound, and most offices inside were badly damaged, with only a few rooms still usable.
Officials assessing quake damage in Sindhupalchowk
The DoR’s central office will be relocated to Patan Dhoka Chakupat, Lalitpur, within this week. Despite the damage at central and district offices, the department has continued road construction and maintenance work nationwide. “Damage and destruction have not halted our work anywhere. Road construction and maintenance continue,” said one department employee.
Similarly, the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) plans to compile a detailed list of structures, equipment, and vehicles damaged by fire within three days. A meeting led by Secretary Gopal Prasad Sigdel on Sunday assessed the damage and decided to collect details of losses caused by vandalism and arson during the September 9 protests.
Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Mainali said 50 ministry vehicles were completely burned. Some vehicles were partially damaged, and computers and other office equipment were stolen. Damage assessment is ongoing, he added.
While the Gen Z protests caused minor structural damage to the MoUD building, many items were looted, according to staff. “Dozens of vehicles were destroyed. Even senior officials had to walk to the office after the vehicles were burned,” an employee said.
According to the ministry, 60% of the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction’s (DUDBC) assets were burned. MoUD staff are still unsure where they will continue their work. The Federal Secretariat Construction and Management Office, under the ministry, manages the new ministerial quarters in Bhaisepati, which also sustained damage during the protests, including burned government vehicles. The ministry will compile details of damage at the new ministerial quarters as well.
Meanwhile, DUDBC staff began cleaning the office on Saturday morning. Other ministries, apart from MoUD and MoPIT, have also started collecting details of damage caused during the Gen Z protests.
