KATHMANDU: Two weeks have passed since the UNESCO requested the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) to relocate a mobile toilet from Basantapur area, the KMC is yet to act on it.

Considering possible health implications that the rich heritage site could face, the UNESCO, in a written letter to the KMC had asked the latter to immediately relocate the portable toilet from Basantapur area, which falls under the UNESCO World Heritage list. Rabin Man Shrestha, chief of the Environment Division at the KMC, however, said the office has not received a letter in this regard. “I have heard about it, but there is no letter yet,” he said.

“Even if there was such a letter, there is no place to relocate it,” Shrestha added. Asked if the mobile toilet would remain forever in the heritage site, Shakya said they were thinking about it.

Basudev Uprety, proprietor of the mobile toilet, said he was also unaware of the UNESCO letter. “It is natural for the UNESCO to write the letter since KMC is the responsible authority in operating mobile toilet in the area," he added.

Uprety, meanwhile, revealed that the KMC had directed them not to remove the portable toilet from the heritage site. "The KMC has asked us to paint the toilet in brick-colour and match the heritage colour," he said, adding, "We must obey the order."