Government to Accelerate Removal of Unorganized Settlements in Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu. The government is set to accelerate the process of removing unorganized settlements within the Kathmandu Valley. A meeting of stakeholders held at the Ministry on Friday, chaired by Minister for Urban Development Sunil Lamsal, made an 11-point special decision to implement a concrete plan for clearing these settlements.

The meeting decided to remove and demolish settlement structures on Baisakh 12 and 13, in accordance with the notice issued by the District Administration Office, Kathmandu. Relevant agencies have been directed to arrange the necessary machinery and security measures.

While clearing the settlements, priority will be given to the rescue of vulnerable groups, including the disabled, children, pregnant women, new mothers, and the elderly, with a focus on humanitarian aspects.

The Ministry of Health will provide ambulances and medical teams to transport those rescued to safe shelters or hospitals, while the Kathmandu Metropolitan City will manage food and refreshments.

The Ministry of Urban Development will supply essential materials to the temporary settlement areas. The plan includes verifying families through photo identification cards and gradually removing individuals whose identities cannot be confirmed. Immediately after the settlements are cleared, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Urban Development will begin construction of new infrastructure.

The meeting also decided that any problems or resource requirements arising during the clearance process will be addressed immediately through the District Administration Office.

Points of Decision

The meeting of various agencies and stakeholders held on Friday at the Ministry under the chairmanship of Urban Development Minister Sunil Lamsal regarding the removal of unorganized settlements in the valley made the following decisions:

1. Carry out promotional activities as per the notice issued by the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, and emphasize clearing the areas before demolition by making public announcements.

2. Make immediate arrangements for machinery and other equipment required for the removal and demolition of settlement structures on Baisakh 12 and 13, 2083, as requested by the District Administration Office, Kathmandu.

3. Provide humanitarian assistance during the clearance process, including transporting goods and prioritizing the rescue of the disabled, children, pregnant women, new mothers, the elderly, and the chronically ill to designated safe shelters or hospitals as needed.

For this, the Ministry of Health and Population will arrange necessary ambulances and medical teams. The Ministry of Home Affairs will coordinate the provision of vehicles for transporting goods and people to safe locations.

4. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City will provide food, snacks, and water at the initial shelters, while the Ministry of Health and Population will manage medical teams.

5. The Ministry of Urban Development will arrange for temporary housing and ensure the supply of daily essentials and water at the designated relocation sites.

6. Verification camps will be set up in the managed settlement areas to distribute photo ID cards to each family. The Ministry of Urban Development and the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation will gradually remove individuals who cannot be verified.

7. Once the settlements are cleared, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Urban Development will immediately begin removing debris, opening tracks, and preparing other necessary infrastructure.

8. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City will handle frontline tasks such as public announcements, providing information, clearing settlements, and identifying individuals needing humanitarian aid. The District Security Committee will arrange necessary security.

9. A Central Coordination Committee will be formed to implement these decisions, responsible for coordination, direction, policy decisions, and resource management.

Composition:

1. Honorable Minister for Urban Development (Coordinator)

2. Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (Member)

3. Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (Member)

4. Secretary, Ministry of Health and Population (Member)

5. Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development (Member)

6. Secretary, Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation (Member)

7. Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (Member)

10. Under the Central Coordination Committee, relevant ministries and agencies will form action teams to implement their respective tasks and report regularly to the Central Coordination Committee.

11. Any problems or resource demands arising at the field level during the clearance, security deployment, shelter management, and rehabilitation phases will be addressed immediately by the relevant agencies upon request through the District Administration Office, Kathmandu.