A structural alternative to minimize extensive damages to life and property in case of a high-scale earthquake in the city core of Kathmandu Valley was presented Thursday in Kathmandu.

The alternative was unveiled in the findings of a study conducted on an identifiable and earthquake-resistant historic city core by the Natural Disaster Study Center under the Tribhuvan University.

"Nepal has been experiencing a high-scale earthquake in every 75 to 100 years and the earthquake that occurred in 1934 caused heavy damage to life and property, so the alternative is important to minimize extensive damages in case of a high-scale earthquake happening again," said Jiba Raj Pokharel, director of the Center.

The study recommends construction of such a type of structure in the Balifal habitation area near Patan Dhoka of Lalitpur Municipality of Kathmandu Valley, Pokharel noted.

Recommendation has also been made to bring down the old structures in the area and replace them with a six-story building built in the traditional temple style. The old chaitya and wells in the area will remain, according to Pokharel.

"The earthquake-resistant building will be beneficial from the socio-economic point of view as well, and majority of the population in the area have consented to such a project," Pokharelsaid.

The total cost of the project is around 422 million Nepali rupees (6 million US dollars) and is estimated to make a profit of around 483 million Nepali rupees (6.9 million US dollars), he added.

Source: Xinhua