Home Ministry to address river corridor settlement issues in Kathmandu Valley

July 18, Kathmandu: The Ministry of Home Affairs has launched a coordinated initiative to tackle the challenges faced by settlements located along the river corridors in the Kathmandu Valley

. In a recent meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, heads and officials from relevant ministries and agencies discussed and agreed upon collaborative efforts to resolve this long-standing issue.

To effectively address the problem, it was decided that the High-powered Committee for the Integrated Development of Bagmati Civilization, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, and the National Land Commission would convene promptly with the aim of finding a timely solution.

As part of this plan, a task force will be formed, comprising representatives from the Ministries of Home, Urban Development, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Land Management and Poverty Alleviation, and the High-powered Committee for the Integrated Development of Bagmati Civilization, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, and the National Land Commission, along with the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority.

During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha emphasized the need for a coordinated approach in addressing the issue of unauthorized settlements in the Bagmati Corridor. He further stated that the eviction of slums would be carried out in parallel with a resettlement plan for the genuine slum dwellers.

Minister for Urban Development Sita Gurung highlighted the government’s policy and budget, which emphasizes the relocation of settlements in the river corridor. However, she stressed the importance of ensuring that the rights of legitimate squatters are not violated or denied while addressing the issue of slum removal.

Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Amanlal Modi expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with local authorities in resolving settlement-related problems along the river corridors.

Balendra Sah, the Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, sought assistance from the Ministry of Home Affairs in clearing the unregulated settlements in the Bagmati Corridor.

The coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Home Affairs and other concerned stakeholders are expected to bring about positive changes in the river corridor settlements, addressing long-standing issues and improving the overall living conditions of the affected communities.