Prachanda

New Delhi, Sept. 29: A sum of Rs 25 crore will be spent on doing up the Indian embassy in Kathmandu — Rs 5 crore more than Delhi’s flood aid announced for Nepal weeks back.

The Rs 20-crore aid had been announced as immediate relief during the September 14-18 visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to help Nepal cope with the floods unleashed by the Kosi.

Foreign ministry officials avoided a direct reply when pointed out that the amount to be spent on the “execution of interior works” at the 32,000-sqm embassy on Kathmandu’s Kapurdhara Marg could be seen as extravagant in a country that had just been given calamity assistance.

The officials insisted that the renovation was “necessary and need-specific”.

The makeover expense has been planned at a time when India’s relationship with Nepal is being realigned to the changed political dynamics of the Himalayan country.

The end of monarchy has given way to a new regime with the participation of Maoists led by Dahal, popularly known as Prachanda.

“There will be open bidding for the work, the process for which has started. Once it (the bid) is finalised, the work is expected to take two years,” a foreign ministry official said.

The contract could go to an Indian firm or a joint venture, with an Indian company as the lead contractor.

Bid documents showed the foreign ministry was looking for a total overhaul, one that would lead to interiors of “international standards” and “super-class finishes”.

The interior work will include new furnishings in the chancery building, auditorium, multipurpose hall, library, sports facilities, bungalows and apartments for staff, the official said.

Modular furniture, specialised floorings, wall panelling, acoustical works, new curtains and modern audio-visual systems are to be put in place at the embassy.

The overhaul will also include repairs and, if necessary, replacement of the wiring and plumbing system.