Timely reform in urban policy imperative: Minister Jhankri

Kathmandu: Minister for Urban Development Ram Kumari Jhankri has said time has come to ensure timely amendment on the National Urban Policy, 2064. She said timely reform in urban policy is imperative for the development of well-managed cities.

Minister Jhankri said it during a workshop on the policy and acts relating to urban development at Dhangadhi on Saturday. “Migration on rise from hilly to Tarai regions, and from big cities to small cities is a challenge,” she said, adding that discussion was whetted to face the new challenges by amending the related policies and laws.

On the occasion, Minister for Physical Infrastructures in Sudurpaschim Province, Dirgha Bahadur Sodari, viewed the government must bring new urban development policy even by reducing the role of the federal ministry. He shared that lack of engineers experienced on urban development had lagged the performance to this regard.

On the occasion, urban development expert, Girija Prasad Gorkhali, presented a working paper on challenges of urban development at the workshop.

The workshop was attended by mayor and deputy mayors of municipalities, and members of Sudurpaschim Province Assembly.

Secretary at the federal ministry, Maniram Gelal, spoke on the need and relevance of new policy on urban development.

It was informed that the National Urban Policy, 2064 was being amended as per the federal structure of the country. The ministry has proposed a ‘prosperous, lively, beautiful and inclusive city’.

Even a draft of the ‘utility corridor’ of the proposed Urban Development Act has been prepared.