KATHMANDU: The budget allocated to build apartments for the slum dwellers living on the banks of the Bagmati River is likely to be frozen.

According to Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, Rs 150 million was allocated in the current fiscal for the apartments.

"Nothing has been done yet," said Er Hemnath Sharma Khanal, chief, Kathmandu Valley Town Development Committee under Ministry of Physical Planning and Works. "Neither the land has been purchased nor have other things been forwarded," he added. The current fiscal year ends in mid-July. "The budget is likely to be frozen. What can we do within a few days?" wondered Khanal.

"If we fail to spend the allocated amount within this fiscal year, it will automatically be frozen and transferred to the national coffer," said Khanal. "The programme may also be annulled if the government does not include the project in the upcoming budget," he added.