The Kaohsiung City Government estimates that repairing the damage caused by the gas explosions that rocked the city on July 31 will run to NT$1.91 billion (around US$64 million).
The city government said Monday that mayor Chen Chu will seek to get the money from the central government.
The damage is spread over an area of four kilometers. The blasts ripped up roads and sidewalks in the area, tore through sewer pipes, and toppled streetlights.
It is thought that a leak of propylene gas in underground pipes was responsible for the explosions. The city government warned that there is still some propylene gas in the pipes, and that this will have to be removed before reconstruction work can begin.
The city government said its first task will be restoring water and electricity to homes in the affected areas and repairing roads.