Reviving the 'monumental city' of Kathmandu is a big challenge: Nepal envoy

Nepal Ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhyay on Monday said that reviving a 'monumental city' like Kathmandu is a big challenge before his government, adding that rescue work was merely the first phase of operations taking place in the Himalayan country.

"The rescue work is supposed to be accomplished; this is the first phase. We have to also clear the debris. The Nepal Army is coordinating this. They are the experts and if they need some kind of equipment or personnel, they will make the recommendations and the government will do accordingly," Upadhyay told the media.

"The second phase, which is relief work, has started, and after this the reconstruction, regeneration and reviving process will be on and to revive a monumental city like Kathmandu will be a big challenge. The monumental areas are not only the property of Nepal but re of the entire world," he added.

Upadhyay further dismissed reports of his government being angry with the Indian media.

"The government of Nepal is not angry with the Indian media. At this juncture, please be positive," he said.

Earlier in the day, the Nepal government had asked all foreign nations, which had sent rescue teams to the earthquake-hit Himalayan country, to withdraw the same.