KATHMANDU, AUGUST 22

Kathmandu Metropolitan City has started removing shops and vendors operating underground in commercial buildings meant for providing parking space.

Many commercial buildings having underground spaces had been designated for parking in the blue print. Thus, such structures get building completion certificate from the authorities. However, the building operators often provide the space for other businesses and shops in exchange for heavy monthly rent rather than providing space for parking purpose.

Lack of parking area is one of the burning issues of the metropolis. During the mayoral election campaign, KMC's Mayor Balendra Shah had vowed to find the solution for creating parking spaces inside KMC.

After noticing that private building owners breaching the government rule to misuse the parking area, the KMC had earlier issued a 35- day notice to vacate such underground areas and make it open for parking as mandated by rules.

'We went to inspect such commercial buildings in various parts of Kathmandu as the 35-day long notice ended today,' said Sunil Lamsal Shah member of secretariat.

Mayor Shah also inspected such buildings in several areas, including Baneshwor where he had asked the building owners to comply with the rule as soon as possible.

The KMC has said that the rule will be implemented in all major city areas. It said legal action would be taken against building owners who refuse to abide by the laws.

Earlier, upon the request from building owners and shopkeepers, Mayor Shah had successfully removed street vendors from selling their products from the footpath of core areas of the valley.

A version of this article appears in the print on August 23, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.