PMC issues 35-day ultimatum to remove encroachments

KATHMANDU: Pokhara Metropolitan City has announced plans to expedite long-pending urban development and beautification projects aimed at improving city management and public infrastructure.

Mayor Dhanraj Acharya said priority has been given to key initiatives including the construction of the Pokhara bus park, removal of encroachments along the Fewa (Firke) Khola, and clearing unauthorized structures from public road areas.

Of the 186 ropani of land acquired for the bus park in fiscal year 2030/31 BS, only 26 ropani is currently in operation.

The metropolis has stated that final preparations are underway to resolve disputes and compensation issues related to the remaining land.

The city has also committed to verifying the actual status of around 500 families living in the bus park area under the identity of squatters and ensuring appropriate resettlement measures.

According to Mayor Acharya, the upcoming executive meeting scheduled for Thursday will take final decisions regarding land disputes and legal resolution related to the bus park project.

He added that a master plan for the bus park has already been prepared and has received bipartisan and multi-stakeholder agreement.

In a parallel move, the metropolis has issued a 35-day public notice to remove over 160 illegal structures built within the natural flow area of the Firke Khola.

The removal process, previously halted due to a court stay order, has resumed following a favorable court ruling for the metropolis.

Structures located within the river boundaries across wards 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, and 18 must be removed by their owners within the deadline, failing which the city will carry out demolition and recover the costs from the concerned parties. However, genuine squatters along the riverbanks will be identified and resettled after verification.

The metropolis has already removed unauthorized structures from Amar Singh Chowk and has instructed the clearance of buildings and shops encroaching on roads in the Prithvi Chowk area.

These actions are being carried out in line with directives from the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) and the National Vigilance Centre.

Mayor Acharya emphasized that roads cannot be used for commercial rentals and urged businesses to clear their premises within the stipulated timeframe while ensuring the safety of their belongings.

For landless, squatters, and informal settlers within the city, records of 20,106 individuals have been collected so far through the National Land Commission, and official certificates have already been issued.

The metropolis said genuine beneficiaries will be identified and provided with proper housing arrangements.