KATHMANDU, April 27: As the government began clearing informal settlements across the Kathmandu Valley, officials say the number of genuine squatters is far lower than earlier estimates, with 547 families coming into contact with the government as of Sunday evening.
The settlements were cleared over the weekend in coordination between the federal government and the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC).
Kathmandu Valley Development Authority (KVDA) Development Commissioner Januka Dhakal said the actual number of genuine squatters fell well short of projections. “Before clearing the settlements, we had estimated a certain number of genuine squatters, but the actual figure turned out to be much lower,” she said. “During the clearance of settlements in Thapathali, Gairigaun, Shantinagar and Manohara, we found far fewer genuine squatters.”
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A report prepared in 2068 BS by the then High-Powered Committee for Integrated Development of the Bagmati Civilization (HPCIDBC) identified 3,496 squatter families in the Kathmandu Valley, including 2,245 in Kathmandu alone. The number was later estimated to have risen to around 6,000. The report had listed 22 squatter settlements, including Thapathali, Sinamangal, Gairigaun, Shankhamul, Balkhu, Kapan, Gothatar, Kageshwori, Manohara Tole, and areas along the Dhobikhola and Bishnumati rivers.
According to KVDA data, a total of 871 families were living in the cleared areas—143 in Thapathali, 162 in Gairigaun, 77 in Gothatar, 476 in Shantinagar, and 13 in Manohara Tole.
Kumar Simkhada of the HPCIDBC said that by Sunday evening, 547 families from Thapathali, Manohara, Shantinagar and Gairigaun had come into contact with the government. They have been accommodated at the Satsang Bhawan hall in Kirtipur and in various hotels in Balaju, with free meals arranged. Medical support will also be provided if needed, officials said.
According to Dhakal, the families will be verified within 15 days to determine their eligibility. Those identified as genuine squatters will be relocated to apartments in Ichangu Narayan, while alternative arrangements are being explored for those who cannot be accommodated there. The Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) has already begun painting and cleaning the apartment units.
Three buildings constructed under the MoUD at Ichangu Narayan can accommodate around 100 families. The units, yet to be used, include three rooms, a toilet and a bathroom in each flat. Although the government had introduced a relocation plan in 2066 BS, it had remained unimplemented until now.
