Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: The government is to relocate the vulnerable settlements on the banks of the Bagmati and other tributaries in the Kathmandu Valley from today in the second phase.

Settlements in Thapathali, Sinamangal-Gairigaun, Shantinagar and Manohara areas have been relocated in the first phase, said Minister for Urban Development Sunil Lamsal.

A joint meeting of various government agencies was held at the Ministry of Urban Affairs on Thursday to systematize the process. The meeting had concluded that necessary preparations for the relocation of the settlement had been completed.

According to the Ministry, the people living in risky settlements would be taken to Dasharath Stadium as the primary registration centre by bus to facilitate the relocation of the risky settlements. Three help desks will be set up in the stadium. The first set room will be for the collection of information and data, the second one for self-declaration forms and social details required for the identification of landless squatters and the third set up by a team from the Ministry of Home Affairs will collect digital data.

Similarly, security agencies will help in storing and security of things that cannot be taken to the holding center such as drawers, tables, beds, etc. Buses have also been arranged to take the families who do not have shelter or cannot manage themselves to the holding center.

The ministry has also made arrangements for immediate health service, humanitarian assistance and psycho-counseling services. These services will be available at both the primary registration center and the holding center.

The landless squatters will be identified and verified on the basis of the details collected. Those who could not be identified will be sent back from the holding center. The identified families will be provided with the necessary assistance for a certain period and further process will be initiated for their rehabilitation.

According to the Ministry, those involved in illegal activities by encroaching on the river banks in the past would be investigated and action would be taken against those found guilty.

Issuing a notice today, the District Administration Office Kathmandu has urged settlements near the rivers at different local levels of the district to evict the settlements by encroaching upon government, public and private land, until the evening today.

Assistant Chief District Officer Mukti Ram Rijal informed that the work to evacuate the high-risk settlements will begin from 7:00 am on May 2.