Kathmandu, January 28

Locals staged a protest outside the office of Kathmandu Metropolitan City demanding action against the owner of an under-construction complex in Basantapur Durbar Square area.

They claimed that the complex was being constructed in violation of the government blueprint.

The campaigners said they had collected signatures of more than 25,000 people against the construction of the complex.

Maharjan Business Associates  Pvt Ltd has been constructing the complex in the heritage site, violating Nepal’s Protected Monument Zone Bylaws and Ancient Monument Preservation Act.

A joint report prepared by KMC and Kathmandu Valley Development Authority also states that the commercial complex is being built in violation of the approved blueprint. It has a basement covering entire land area of 627.98 square metres and each floors of the building are also three feet taller than the approved height.

Construction of the complex currently remains halted following Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s order of November 24, 2017.

Ganapati Lal Shrestha,  a local, who has been protesting against the construction of the complex, said, “We want the government to take action against the complex owner.

As per the report of Kathmandu Metropolitan City and Kathmandu Valley Development Authority the complex building is being constructed illegally.”

The locals have also decided to stage a rally outside the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority on January 31, demanding necessary investigation into the case.