House panel tells govt to remove squatter settlements within six months

KATHMANDU: The Infrastructure Development Committee of the House of Representatives has directed the government to remove squatter settlements on the banks of the Bagmati River within six months.

In a meeting held at Singha Durbar on Wednesday, the committee discussed the proper management of landless squatters and gave a definite timeframe for removing the settlements from the Bagmati River banks.  In addition, the committee decided to conduct a field visit to the Bagmati River banks in coordination with the Bagmati Civilization Integrated Development Committee to take stock of the ongoing beautification campaign.

“The Ministry of Urban Development has been instructed to remove slums and squatter settlements on the Bagmati River banks within six months, and to conduct an on-site inspection of the Bagmati beautification project,” stated Udaya Kumar Bhandari, the committee’s secretary.