KATHMANDU, JUNE 14

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has unveiled its policy and programme for the fiscal year 2083/84 (2026/27) under the theme "Cultural City, Prosperous Metropolis," laying out an ambitious agenda spanning governance reform, heritage conservation, infrastructure development, digital transformation, and social welfare.

Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol presented the policy document at the 19th session of the City Assembly at Rastriya Sabhagriha on Sunday.

Governance and Administration

The metropolis plans to operationalise One Stop Service Centres at the main office and all ward offices to improve service delivery, and will launch an "Earn While You Learn" internship and fellowship programme for university students in relevant fields. A scientific organisational review through an Organisation and Management (O&M) survey will examine staffing structures in light of growing urban workloads and expanding technology use. All KMC-issued laws will undergo post-legislative scrutiny for timely revision, and mediation will be prioritised for local dispute resolution. Outdoor advertisements deemed damaging to the city's aesthetics or safety will be completely prohibited.

Social Development and Health

KMC will introduce targeted empowerment programmes for women, children, senior citizens, indigenous communities, persons with disabilities, Dalits, single women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and martyrs' families. Free health and counselling services will be provided at the homes of senior citizens aged 75 and above, along with nutrition allowances for the fully disabled. The metropolis will also expand free ambulance services and explore bike ambulance services to navigate narrow roads and increasing traffic congestion.

A new metropolitan hospital will be constructed to provide quality specialised care, while mental health counselling services and a call centre will be established to address rising psychological health challenges. Free dialysis facilitation, pneumonia vaccination for senior citizens, and regular health camps are among the other planned health initiatives.

Education, Youth and Sports

Special schools for children with autism, Down syndrome, and other disabilities will be established, along with schools for senior citizens and housewives. A "Creative Friday" programme will be introduced across schools to foster STEAM learning, skills training, and sports activities. KMC will coordinate with the federal government to establish its own university focusing on language, culture, heritage, tourism, and technology. Classroom thermal comfort, natural ventilation, and CO₂ concentration levels will be studied to set appropriate learning environment standards.

Environment and Waste Management

The city will be divided into seven clusters for technology-assisted waste management, guided by a circular economy model. A Mechanised Material Recovery Facility will be established at Bancharedanda Landfill Site. Single-use plastic bags and plastic products will be actively discouraged through special campaigns, and the polluter-pays principle will be applied to waste management fee collection. Online app-based waste management information systems will be introduced.

Infrastructure and Urban Development

Smart technology will be deployed on street lights and high masts for a safer, better-lit city. All buildings in the metropolis will be assessed for disaster resilience over the next five years, with retrofitting and maintenance works beginning in the current fiscal year. Energy efficiency technology, groundwater recharge systems, and sewage treatment plants will be incorporated into new building constructions. A 20 percent discount on building permit fees will be offered for residential constructions registered in the names of women, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens.

KMC will also push for the use of Nepal Airlines Corporation's land near New Baneshwor Gate as a multi-storey parking facility to address the chronic parking crisis in the area, coordinating with the federal government to that end.

Heritage, Culture and Tourism

Under the "Cultural City" theme, KMC will protect, promote, and digitally document historical and cultural heritage across the metropolitan area, including temples, monasteries, courtyards, ponds, rest platforms, and other historic structures, with original naming and mapping. An international Kathmandu Film Festival will be organised, inviting foreign guests, and a traditional food festival, exhibitions, and cultural expos will be held to showcase local art, cuisine, attire, and handicrafts.

Homestay operations in ancient settlements and historic cities will be promoted to boost tourism. Efforts will be made to get intangible cultural heritage - including local festivals, traditional music, and art forms - listed with UNESCO. The "Recharged Kathmandu" campaign will focus on restoring ponds and stone spouts (hitis) and promoting rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge. Residences for the deities of the Indrajatra chariot procession - Ganesh and Bhairav - will be constructed. The Yendey Cultural Hall constructed by KMC will be made operational.

Revenue and Taxation

A Tax System Audit will be introduced from fiscal year 2083/84 to make revenue mobilisation more transparent and accountable. Property rental and business tax rates will be rationalised based on purpose and location. A single taxpayer identification number system will be fully implemented, and a mandatory registration system for rented properties will be put in place.

Digital Governance

KMC will establish a GIS-based integrated digital address system and a KMC Dashboard for real-time monitoring of planning, revenue, infrastructure, environment, disaster management, and complaints. All city information systems will be made interoperable with national identity cards, the citizen app, the national payment system, and land records. A dedicated software development, cybersecurity, and system maintenance unit will be strengthened, and digital literacy training will be provided to both staff and residents.

Consumer Protection

Food quality testing, control of junk food and alcohol, regulated meat production, and home delivery of pesticide-free vegetables through metro-managed platforms are among the consumer protection measures planned. Stray dog and monkey population management will be carried out through humane, scientific, and technical methods.

Acting Mayor Dangol concluded the address by calling for collective commitment from citizens, civil society, all three tiers of government, and private sector partners for the full implementation of the proposed policies and programmes.