Pokhara Metropolitan City Ultimatum Expires, Squatter Problem Resolution Committees Active
Pokhara. The ultimatum given by Pokhara Metropolitan City to vacate the Pokhara bus park structure has expired. During this time, various committees formed by the metropolis to solve the squatter problem have been working diligently.
One committee has already submitted its report, while other committees have also reached the final stage of their responsibilities. The committee formed to recommend land for the relocation of squatters submitted its report to the Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, Dhanraj Acharya, on the 22nd. The committee has recommended land in 6 different places in Pokhara.
Committee coordinator Radhika Shahi Yogi said that suitable lands were identified and recommended based on priority. "Field studies have been conducted in all places. Suitable lands have been recommended after looking at the technical aspects," she said, "There is enough land even if the squatter settlement has to be moved 100% to one place. There are also lands if they are to be kept separately."
Land in wards 9, 14, 15, 17, 25, 21 of Pokhara, among others, has been recommended. However, the committee formed to identify genuine squatters and the committee formed for judicial resolution have not completed their work. Krishna Tiwari, Chief of the Administration Division of Pokhara Metropolitan City, said that the work of identifying squatters is ongoing. "After our committee was formed, we requested applications. 572 people have applied," he said, "We are currently analyzing this. It seems it will take some more time."
The term of the committee formed for judicial resolution, however, is yet to expire. The metropolis had given 10 days' time to the committees for land search and squatter identification, and 15 days' time to the committee for judicial resolution.
Mayor Acharya said that the committee's deadline has been extended to the 28th due to public holidays in between. The metropolis had prepared to run a bulldozer in the bus park area today (Sunday), but the work was stopped after the High Court issued an interim order not to demolish the houses immediately.
Mayor Acharya warned that wrongdoings will not last long by taking recourse to the court.
"The committees are working responsibly with in-depth study and analysis. We are confident that reports will be received from all committees within the stipulated deadline of the 28th," he said, "Based on the conclusions, suggestions, and recommendations received from the committees, the process of bus park construction will be moved forward."
Out of the 205 ropanis of land acquired in 2032 BS for the construction of Pokhara Bus Park, most of the land has been encroached upon and sold. Some land has fallen victim to river standards and erosion. Current study reports show that only about 50 ropanis of land are vacant. However, the metropolis has prepared to build the bus park on the entire area. For that, a plan has been put forward to reclaim the sold land and manage the squatters elsewhere.
The bus park area is not only inhabited by squatters. There is also a school where their children study - Sahara Basic School.
Squatters and those living on rent have started vacating their houses in large numbers. However, the school is running regularly. Many are concerned about the relocation of the school.
Sahara Basic School, established within the Pokhara Bus Park area 30 years ago, runs up to grade 8. Currently, about 240 students study at the school. There are 8 teachers on the permanent government payroll.
"Sahara is a basic school with many students within Pokhara city," said Hemraj Acharya, Chief of the Metropolitan Education Division, "The children studying there are not only from the bus park area."
He said that the metropolis has already made preparations for the management of students if the school is relocated due to the clearing of the bus park area. "We are serious about ensuring that the students do not experience psychological distress and inconvenience," he said.
It is said that preparations are being made to relocate Sahara School to a place where the squatters are managed or to a plot of land near the bus park. The Election Commission had designated the same school as a polling station.
This specific news has been automatically translated by AI. As a result, there may be some inaccuracies or language errors.
