Kathmandu, September 8
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah has stated that no houses along riverbanks will be demolished under the new guidelines. In a social media post, he mentioned that if any houses fall within the designated area, the government will be required to provide compensation before demolition.
“Rest assured, no houses falling under the new guidelines will be demolished. If demolition is necessary, the government must provide compensation. A government that couldn’t compensate for the houses in Tinkune 50 years ago cannot compensate or demolish yours either,” he said. “We are here for you. Pressurise the central government to change the law.”
Mayor Balen also clarified that the guidelines regarding riverbanks were set by the federal government, not the metropolitan office. “The federal government itself created the river guidelines and laws. They appointed the members of the council and the judges. The government has the authority to make and amend the laws,” he stated. “Yet, when it comes to implementing the law and court decisions, all the blame falls on Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Let’s stop misleading the public with false information.”
The CPN-UML party has demanded the reversal of a regulation that prohibits construction on an additional 20 meters of land along both sides of rivers in Kathmandu Metropolitan City. They have also called for a judicial review of the Supreme Court’s decision on the matter.
