Over 1,200 structures demolished in Kathmandu Valley for encroaching on public land

Kathmandu. One thousand two hundred and seventy-two houses and structures built by encroaching on government and public land have been demolished in four locations in the Kathmandu Valley. A government team, in coordination with Nepal Police, Armed Police Force Nepal, and the Metropolitan Police of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, demolished illegally constructed houses and structures on Saturday and Sunday in Thapathali, Gaairigaun-Baneshwor and Jadibuti in Kathmandu, and in the Manohara area of Bhaktapur.

Police data shows a total of 1,650 houses and structures in these four locations. Central Police Spokesperson Abinarayan Kafle informed that 15 concrete houses in the Gaairigaun-Sinamangal area and 365 houses and structures in Manohara settlement (Bhaktapur) are yet to be demolished.

On Saturday, 143 houses and structures built by encroaching on the banks of the Bagmati River in Thapathali, Kathmandu, were demolished. The 34 families and 115 members who became homeless after the demolition of these structures built in risk-prone areas have been housed at the Radhasoami Satsang Building in Kirtipur with the support of Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

Similarly, out of 578 houses and structures in the Gaairigaun-Baneshwor area, 560 were demolished on Saturday. The security team demolished five more houses and structures today. Fifteen concrete houses are still to be demolished in this area. Security personnel were deployed to remove encroached structures in the Gaairigaun-Sinamangal area under Kathmandu Metropolitan City-9.

Police reported that 114 houses and structures were demolished on Sunday in Manohara Jadibuti (Kathmandu). Approximately 600 people were residing in this area. They have been moved to a safe location. Similarly, more than 450 houses and structures out of 815 in Manohara settlement (Bhaktapur) have been demolished.

The demolition of encroached structures along the Manohara River bank began this morning at 10:00 AM with the help of seven bulldozers from Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Today's demolition work has been postponed due to rain, and preparations are underway to remove the remaining structures on Monday.

The Ministry of Urban Development stated that the process of relocating citizens living in risk-prone areas to safe locations and managing them as needed is progressing smoothly.

For citizens who lack support and are in genuine distress, the government has arranged basic facilities including food and lodging in hotels and lodges until alternative arrangements are made.

"Citizens who need support but are confused can contact the police deployed in the field and receive necessary assistance," wrote Minister of Urban Development Sunil Lamsal on social media. "The police have arranged for the transportation of goods and easy access to Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwor. After recording details at the stadium, arrangements for transportation and accommodation in relevant lodges and hotels have been made."

Januka Dhakal, Development Commissioner of the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority, stated that in the initial phase, settlements in risk-prone areas will be removed, and in the second phase, the landless will be identified and their settlement will be properly managed. The authority has stated that preliminary details of citizens who became homeless during the process of clearing encroached land are being collected and arrangements for their settlement are being made.

Meanwhile, Kathmandu Metropolitan City is preparing to operate play and recreational programs for children who have been taken to the holding center from disorganized settlements, starting tomorrow, to minimize the psychosocial impact they may face. This program will be operated under the Social Development Department of the Metropolis.