KATHMANDU: Of the total 2,700 quake-damaged houses registered in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), only 500 were found to have been dismantled so far by the KMC although six months have elapsed since the April 25 earthquake.

These houses are mostly from the most affected zones including Balaju, Chamati, Sitapaila and along the Bishumati riverside, according to Dhanapati Sapkota, Chief of Implementation Division at the KMC.

Similarly, as many as 50 quake-damaged houses, which obstructed the public space or posed threat to adjoining houses, were immediately dismantled by Nepal Army, Nepal Police and KMC.

Currently, the KMC has been dismantling those houses receiving complete damages within the inner circle of the city, shared Sapkota.

According to him, the delay in dismantling such houses is attributed to the festival time and reluctance of the house-owners, who often cite the dual ownership of the house and one of the owners living abroad.

To dismantle such houses, first the house owners need to file an application to the KMC. Thereafter, a team of KMC goes to the concerned houses for assessment.

The KMC is now gearing up to dismantle the quake-ravaged houses in Kalimati, Kalanki and Kuleshower, among others places.

Many a times the house owners themselves are found dismantling the quake-damaged houses after the KMC grants its permission while some seek the City's help for the same and clearing the debris after dismantling, added Sapkota.

Meanwhile, the KMC has received 200 applications by the neighbors to dismantle the quake-damaged houses in their neighborhood.