PMC to clear encroached land
KATHMANDU: Pokhara Metropolitan City (PMC) has announced a major drive to clear encroached land along the Firke Khola corridor and within the proposed modern Pokhara Bus Park area at Prithvichowk-9.
Issuing a public notice on Wednesday, the metropolis directed individuals and institutions to remove all permanent and temporary structures built within the river boundary of Firke Khola. The stream flows from Andherikuna in Ward No. 18 through Wards 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17 and 6 before merging into Phewa Lake.
According to the notice, the metropolitan office has already completed technical measurements and installed boundary poles in the affected areas. Authorities warned that all structures within the marked zone must be removed within the given deadline, failing which the metropolis will demolish them and recover the costs from the concerned individuals or organizations.
The metropolis had previously issued a 35-day notice on Baisakh 4 to clear structures inside the Firke Khola river corridor. A similar public notice had also been issued on Kartik 10, 2080 BS. A case challenging the decision was filed at the Pokhara High Court, but the court ruled against issuing any stay order or directive to halt the clearance campaign.
Based on the court’s verdict and the earlier notice, the metropolis has now set Jestha 9 as the final deadline for removing all illegally built structures in the Firke Khola area.
Meanwhile, the metropolis is also preparing to reclaim encroached land designated for the proposed modern Pokhara Bus Park. Authorities will begin collecting details of squatters, landless Dalits and unmanaged settlers residing in the area by Jestha 8.
The notice has asked previously identified landless Dalits, squatters and unmanaged settlers to submit their family details at the Ward No. 9 office along with copies of citizenship certificates, landless identity documents and relationship verification papers or self-declaration forms.
Land for the bus park was originally acquired around 2031/32 BS, covering nearly 205 ropanis at Prithvichok. However, continuous encroachment has reduced the available area to around 60 ropanis.
Mayor Dhanraj Acharya said the encroached land owned by the Pokhara Valley Town Development Committee would be reclaimed to move forward with the construction of a modern and well-equipped bus park.
“Nearly 500 families have built houses and temporary shelters on the bus park land in the name of landless settlers and unmanaged residents. We are now verifying the actual situation and will ensure proper management for genuine squatters,” Mayor Acharya said.
He added that there is broad political and public consensus on constructing the bus park, and that the master plan has already been finalized.
