Kathmandu, May 18

The government has decided to develop four new satellite cities in as many cardinal directions of Kathmandu Valley.

A meeting of Physical Development Committee of Kathmandu Valley presided over by Minister of Urban Development took a decision to this effect on May 7.

A satellite city is a concept in urban planning that refers essentially to smaller metropolitan areas which are located near to, but are mostly independent of larger metropolitan areas. A satellite city proposed to the northeast of Kathmandu will spread over nearly 1,00,000 ropanis of land and is estimated to cost Rs 500 billion to develop, said a press release issued by the MoUD.

Of the total estimated budget, private sector and public sector will bear Rs 400 billion and Rs 100 billion respectively. “Structures of the city will be developed with participation of private landowners through land pooling system,” it informed.

Similarly, it is estimated to cost a total Rs 50 billion to develop and manage physical infrastructure of three satellite cities to the southwest, southeast and north of Kathmandu. They will spread over 10,000 ropanis of land each. Of the total budget, private sector will contribute Rs 40 billion while public and sector will invest Rs 10 billion.

The development project will be moved forward after preparing a Detailed Project Report soon, said the MoUD. The government has accorded first priority to the satellite city to the northeast of Kathmandu. Satellite cities to systematically check unplanned, imbalanced and haphazard development of the Valley. Since all facilities will be available in satellite cities, people needn’t stay in core areas with the development of the satellite cities.

Conceptually, satellite cities are self-sufficient small cities outside the metropolitan areas but are interconnected due to the suburban expansion of the larger metropolis.