Land encroachment and illegal construction of a retention wall along the banks of Dhobi Khola and the Seto Pul, bridge at Maitidevi has finally been stopped with the combined efforts of Kathmandu Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and Ward no 33.

“We have stopped the construction work due to KMC’s intervention and notified the mayor about the illegal activity,” said Ward chairman Bhanu Kumar Sharma, talking to the Himalayan Times.

For any construction work to go ahead, the approval of KMC and the concerned Ward is necessary. KMC officials point out that the alleged individual who initiated the construction of the retention wall had bypassed all rules and regulations by carrying out the building work without first obtaining permission from the concerned authorities.

“Land encroachment is absolutely illegal and encroaching river banks in particular is very dangerous with hazardous effects,” said Jyoti Bhushan Pradhan, KMC Public works Department chief. He pointed out that diverting a river’s natural flow is highly risky.

According to Ward chairman, local residents had formed Seto Pul Tole Renovation Committee (SPTRC) - under the chairmanship of Hritik Karki, owner of a local snooker club ‘Red 15’, -with the purpose of developing the Ward.

“For any construction work, participation of ward members is a must, but SPTRC did not involve us in the process and instead carried out the work on their own initiative,” said Sharma. Using the guise of SPTRC, president Karki encroached the river’s area and started work on the wall. “We found out that the construction was being carried out by Karki for selfish motives, in order to extend his own car park and garden,” Sharma said.

However, KMC technicians conducted studies on the retention wall which concluded that it would not only destroy the Seto Pul, but could also cause damage to neighbouring Ward. The area also falls under the Dhobikhola Link Road Project, an ambitious project of KMC to build an inner road in the city.