KATHMANDU, APRIL 24
The District Administration Office (DAO), Kathmandu, has issued an urgent notice ordering all individuals residing in or operating businesses from illegally constructed structures on public and government land along the riverbanks to vacate immediately, with demolition of encroached structures set to begin at 6:00 AM on April 25.
The notice, issued today by Assistant Chief District Officer and Spokesperson Muktiram Rijal, said the unauthorised structures have been built on public, government and river-adjacent land without permission, posing serious risks to the lives of residents, impeding the construction of essential infrastructure and adversely affecting river flow. All residents, tenants and business operators in such structures have been directed to vacate by 7:00 PM on April 24.
According to the notice, residents must vacate the illegally constructed structures by Friday evening. Those unable to do so on their own must immediately notify Kathmandu Metropolitan Police, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, who will arrange the necessary support.
All personal belongings, clothing, domestic animals and birds must be moved to safe locations without delay.
Persons with disabilities, young children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, the elderly and the sick living in the affected structures must be given priority and assisted in relocating safely. Kathmandu Metropolitan Police, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have been directed to assist in this effort.
From 6:00 AM on April 25, demolition of structures and full clearance of encroached land will commence. Anyone creating obstacles or interference during the operation will face legal action. All individuals and families displaced from the site will be accommodated at designated locations with basic minimum facilities as determined by the government.
The notice further stated that relevant ministries and authorised agencies will immediately begin registering genuinely landless squatters and initiating the screening process. Within 10 to 15 days, proper housing arrangements for verified landless individuals will be made ready, and the public is requested to cooperate in this process.
The notice warned that anyone ignoring the directive and remaining on site will be personally liable for any damage to their property resulting from the joint demolition operation by the local administration, police and Kathmandu Metropolitan City.