KATHMANDU, MAY 1 The government on Friday launched a drive to remove unorganized settlements in Balkhu and Banshighat areas as part of its ongoing campaign to clear encroachments along the Bagmati River and its tributaries. According to the Prime Minister's Secretariat, the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, in coordination with relevant agencies, has initiated the clearance operation targeting a total of 686 structures. Of these, 486 huts in Balkhu and 200 structures in Banshighat are being removed using bulldozers. The government said the move aims to minimise potential human and property losses from floods and inundation during the upcoming monsoon season, prioritising the safety of citizens. It has also announced plans to gradually continue similar operations in other upstream areas, including Shankhamul. For remaining settlements, authorities stated that eviction will proceed only after proper identification of genuine landless residents and formulation of a concrete plan for their safe rehabilitation.