Kathmandu, September 25

The government is pulling its socks to initiate action against people dumping construction material on roads and footpaths in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, sub-metropolitan cities and municipalities.

The Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development said it had decided to bring to book anyone one who dumped construction material, including sand, pebbles, iron rods and bricks in public places beginning November 16.

Chief District Officer of the concerned district may impose a fine ranging from Rs 10,000 to 50,000 or award a jail sentence of up to three months or both on an offender under Section 30 of the Solid Waste Management Act, 2011.

According to ministry officials, local bodies have been directed to catch erring house owners and builders. It follows the alert of traffic police to the government authorities about all-pervasive encroachment on roads and footpaths and threats it poses to safety of pedestrians and motorists.

If people continue to dump building material on the roads, we will not hesitate to remove the stuff with the help of the police. “The local body will not allow house owners and builders to dump construction material on the roads or pavements for more than a few hours, that too without causing obstruction to pedestrians and vehicles.

If they fail to remove construction material within the stipulated time-frame, the competent authority will initiate action against the guilty,” said an official.

The ministry has also directed the local bodies to make people aware of the punishment for dumping construction material on the roads in coordination with political parties, prominent persons, social mobilisers, ward citizen forums, citizen awareness centers and tol bikas sansthas.

The practice has been causing huge inconvenience to pedestrians and motorists with authorities turning a blind eye to the problem.