Deputy Mayor Dangol opposes Balen’s decision

KATHMANDU: Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Sunita Dangol has opposed a decision taken by Mayor Balendra Shah aka Balen on new building setbacks.

Speaking at the Kathmandu Municipal Executive meeting on Tuesday, Deputy Mayor Dangol objected to the decision that prohibits building construction within an additional 20 meters from the banks of major rivers in the metropolis. Dangol said that this decision has caused panic and fear among the people in the metropolis. Stating that the decision should be reconsidered, she said there is no need to take ownership of a decision taken without adequate discussion.

A cabinet meeting held in 2008 declared a construction prohibited zone within at least 20 meters of the Bagmati, Bishnumati and Manohara rivers flowing through Kathmandu Valley, and 4-12 meters for other streams. A Supreme Court mandamus issued in 2023 expanded the construction prohibited zone by an additional 20 meters.

A few days ago, KMC published a notice stating that it will not grant permission to construct government or private buildings or other physical structures in the additional 20-meter zone.

Referring to the notice published based on a mayoral-level decision, Dangol said sufficient discussions were not held before taking a decision on such a sensitive issue.

Stating that court decisions may not always be in the public’s interest, she said the KMC Office hadn’t discussed options such as seeking a review of the court’s decision.

Other elected representatives at the meeting also raised questions about this issue.