Three settlements in Kathmandu cleared of encroachment

लगानी न्यूज

१३ बैशाख २०८३, आईतवार ११:३५April 26, 2026

Kathmandu. The campaign to remove the encroached settlements in various places of Kathmandu has been intensified. As part of the campaign, the settlements in three places under the Kathmandu Metropolitan City were evacuated on Saturday.

The settlements on the banks of the Bagmati River at Thapathali of Kathmandu Metropolitan City-11, the Gairigaun-Sinamangal area of ward-9 and Shantinagar of ward-31 have been removed from encroachment.TAG_OPEN_div_33

Bishnu Prasad Joshi, chief of the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Force, said that the temporary and permanent structures constructed by encroaching on government land were demolished using dozers. According to him, the work was completed quickly due to the lack of permanent structures in the Thapathali area, while the demolition work was completed late at night due to the high number of concrete houses in the Gairigaun-Sinamangal area.TAG_OPEN_div_31

As per the instructions of the government, a joint team of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Kathmandu Metropolitan Police (KMC) had helped in the safe evacuation of the affected residents and belongings throughout the day on Saturday. Only after that, the work of removing the structure was done using a dozer.TAG_OPEN_div_29

Although the settlements have been removed, the demolished structures and materials are still scattered in the same place, causing some difficulties in transportation. The metropolis has said that the work of removing these materials and clearing the area will also be carried out gradually.

According to the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority, a significant number of squatter families were living in various encroached areas of the capital. According to the NRA’s data, there are a total of 871 families, including 143 in Thapathali, 162 in Gairigaun, 77 in Gothatar, 476 in Shantinagar and 13 in Manohara Tole.TAG_OPEN_div_25

} The government has launched a campaign linking urban beautification, environmental protection and long-term urban management, giving priority to the conservation of public land and the management of the riverbank area. However, with the removal of the settlements, concerns have been expressed from various angles regarding the rehabilitation and management of the affected families. The concerned authorities have been pointing out the need to provide an alternative to systematic settlement for a long-term solution.

Meanwhile, there was no disruption or clash in Thapathali, Gairigaun and Sinamangal areas while removing the settlements, but the residents of the squatters on the banks of the Manohara River in Bhaktapur had created some obstructions. As many as 22 security personnel were injured in the attack.TAG_OPEN_div_21

A total of 22 persons including 11 Nepal Police personnel including Deputy Superintendent of Police Nawaraj Dhungana of Madhyapur Thimi Police Circle and 11 APF personnel deputed from Armed Police Force No. 22 Duwakot were injured in the attack, said Superintendent of APF Basudev Mahat.TAG_OPEN_div_20

According to him, stones, bricks and bottles were hurled at security personnel while demolishing houses in the Manohara squatters’ settlement.TAG_OPEN_div_18