Kathmandu, January 7

The Kathmandu Valley Development Authority (KVDA) has selected a consultant to prepare the detailed project report (DPR) of proposed satellite cities in the southwest and southeast of Kathmandu Valley. The KVDA has selected Environment and Resource Management Consultant (ERMC) to prepare the DPR of the two satellite cities.

The government has proposed to construct satellite cities with an area of 10,000ropanis of land in these two locations. “After the analysis of the technical and financial proposals of the bidders we have selected ERMC as the consultant to prepare the DPR of the two satellite cities,” informed BhaikajiTiwari, development commissioner of KVDA.

There were seven companies that had bid to prepare the DPR.

The KVDA has called the selected consultant firm for further discussions. “We have called them for final discussions and after that the KVDA and the consultant firm will sign on the agreement,” said Tiwari. “The consultant will be responsible to submit the DPR within one year from the date the agreement is signed.” The KVDA had opened the global tender on October 12.

Similarly, KVDA is analysing the technical and financial proposals for two other satellite cities, which will be located to the north and northeast of Kathmandu Valley. As per the authority, it will finalise the consultant selection process to prepare DPR of the remaining two satellite cities within the next 15 days.

As per government’s plan, a mega satellite city will be constructed to the north of the Valley, which will encompass an area of 100,000ropanis of land. The government has planned to construct this satellite city at a total cost of Rs 500 billion.

Similarly, another satellite city will be constructed to the northeast of the Valley, which will be built on 10,000ropanis of land. The other three small cities will be constructed at a cost of Rs 50 billion each. However, the final cost and the implementing model will be finalised after the DPR is finalised.

As per the plan of the Ministry of Urban Development, the private sector and local people will also be asked to participate to construct the satellite cities. “Private land owners will participate through the land pooling system while constructing the satellite cities,” Tiwari stated.

The government has planned to finish the construction process within five years of finalising the DPR.