Pokhara Metropolitan City Prepares to Remove Squatters for Modern Bus Park Construction Amidst Protests and Political Debate
Pokhara. Pokhara Metropolitan City is in the process of constructing a modern bus park by removing the squatter settlement located at the Pokhara bus park. The Metropolitan City has been making procedural efforts for this for a long time. Currently, the work of identifying the squatters in the bus park area and searching for land for them has been intensified.
The Metropolitan City has prepared to immediately remove non-squatters and non-unorganized residents by publishing the final list on Shrawan 18. Earlier, a committee was formed under the coordination of Krishna Tiwari, Chief of the Administration Division of Pokhara Metropolitan City, and this committee has completed the work of identifying squatters.
At the same time, a land search committee has been formed under the coordination of Radhika Shahi Yogi, Chairperson of Pokhara-17. This committee has already recommended some land to the Metropolitan City. A judicial resolution committee was also formed under the coordination of a former judge. The committee has submitted its report to the Metropolitan City. While identifying squatters, landowners with land titles in the bus park area have removed their structures and vacated.
However, the squatters are protesting, saying that the Metropolitan City is trying to deceive them. They have warned of struggle programs if they are removed without an alternative.
In this context, Kaski 2 MP Uttam Prasad Poudel has warned that no one can operate a bulldozer without land titles for squatters and unorganized residents. Reaching the squatter settlement, he did not stop there and said, 'I cannot give you land titles immediately, but within a few months, this Uttam Poudel will come with land titles in your hands. Everyone has a mobile phone, make a video and record this. ' He warned that local governments cannot operate bulldozers without management.
'Sometimes friends get scared and say – 'Oh, they are bringing the bulldozer tomorrow, the day after tomorrow!' Who will bring the bulldozer? The local government will bring it! Isn't the local government also bound by law?' he said, 'Doesn't the local government also have accountability to the public? The government that took your valuable votes yesterday, with what heart can it operate a bulldozer here without proper management?' After his public address, Pokhara Metropolitan City has responded. Mayor Dhanraj Acharya commented that MP Poudel's statement was outside his jurisdiction. He also suggested the MP study the Local Government Operation Act.
'As you said, if it is possible to distribute land titles from house to house, within how much time, under which legal process, and from where will you distribute them?' he asked, 'Present its practical and legal basis.' He informed that Pokhara Metropolitan City has started the legal process by distributing notices to 20,106 families.
Acharya stated that the right to identify genuine squatters lies with the ward office and the concerned legal bodies, and indirectly warned against obstructing the Pokhara Bus Park construction process, which has been stalled for half a century. 'We are not in favor of stopping or obstructing the construction of Pokhara Bus Park under any pretext, whether it is from any person or political party,' Acharya said. He has committed to managing the genuine squatters.
The Constitution of Nepal and the Local Government Operation Act, 2074, have entrusted the primary responsibility of local infrastructure development, local roads, bus parks, and management of squatters within their area to the local level. The distribution of land titles is possible only according to the Land Act and the National Land Commission's procedures. Previously, the government used to form separate commissions at the district level. Currently, this committee is active under the leadership of the Chief District Officer. The Metropolitan City claims that the federal MP's direct speech about distributing land titles is not practical.
The problem of Pokhara Bus Park is not only related to squatters. The implementation of a 50-year-old plan is also being obstructed. Many are criticizing that it is a matter of shame not to have a bus park in Pokhara, the capital of tourism. The construction of this bus park is a major agenda for candidates in every election.
This specific news has been automatically translated by AI. As a result, there may be some inaccuracies or language errors.
