KATHMANDU, MAY 3
Authorities have intensified a drive to demolish illegal houses and huts built on public land in different parts of the Kathmandu Valley, including Kapan, as part of efforts to clear encroachments along the Bagmati River and its tributaries.
Assistant Chief District Officer Mukti Ram Rijal said the demolition is underway in Kapan of Budhanilakantha Municipality in coordination with the Ministry of Urban Development, District Administration Office Kathmandu and Kathmandu Metropolitan City.
Illegal structures in areas such as Sattale, Pathibhara and Tenzing Chowk are currently being removed, he said.
The campaign has also been extended to the Dhobikhola corridor in Anamnagar–Devinagar, as well as Balaju–Machhapokhari and Tilganga areas. Authorities said more than 2,300 structures have already been demolished across the Valley.
According to Metropolitan Police Chief Bishnu Prasad Joshi, 15 to 20 structures are being demolished in Devinagar, three in Balaju and 89 in Tilganga today.
The drive was launched last Saturday following a directive from Prime Minister Balendra Shah to remove encroachments on public land and riverbanks. On the first day, demolitions were carried out in Thapathali, Sinamangal–Gairigaun and Manohara areas.
Displaced families have been relocated to holding centres in Kirtipur, Balaju and Bhaktapur. Authorities said identification of genuine landless squatters is underway, with verification being carried out to determine land ownership status as part of efforts to find a long-term solution.
(With inputs from RSS)
