Kathmandu, September 6

The government is all set to expedite reconstruction of ancient settlements and development of smart cities in Kathmandu valley, with the technical assistance of South Korea.

A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed by the National Reconstruction Authority and Kathmandu Valley Development Authority with Seoul Housing and Communities in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, today.

As per the MoU, the SHCS will extend support to the NRA and KDVA for the reconstruction of ancient settlements of Sankhu, Bungmati and Khokana and for development of smart cities in the areas adjoining them.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, NRA Chief Executive Officer Sushil Gyewali said that the MoU would be a milestone to conserve ancient settlements and develop new cities in the valley. Chief Executive Office of SHCS Kim Seiyong said he was happy to share the knowledge and experience gained by South Korea with Nepal for the development of smart cities in Nepal.

A press release issued by the NRA said that SHCS would provide technical assistance to prepare a master plan and detailed project reports of the proposed projects in the first phase. SHCS will assist in institutional development of the NRA and KVDA in order to develop smart cities on the outskirts of the valley.

Earlier, the KVDA had started a study on developing four smart cities in the valley. It has designated four areas in the valley’s east, west, north and south to develop proposed smart cities. The smart cities will span over an area of 130,000 ropanis, with the biggest smart city located in north-east of the valley covering 100,000 ropanis land and the other three cities spreading over 10,000 ropanis, each.

The biggest smart city will stretch from Nagarkot to Talkot road, Jorpati, Mulpani cricket ground in Shankhu, Bhaktapur Purano Bato and Nepali Military Academy in Bhaktapur. The second smart city will cover Gundu and Balkot area. The third smart city will comprise Ranikot, Bhaisepati, Khokana, Bungmati and Chhimti. The fourth smart city will include Samakhusi, Tokha and the areas of Balaju by-pass, Kavresthali, Greenland Chowk.