KATHMANDU, May 1: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has begun technical and administrative consultations to manage 115 ropani of land displacement after the Manohara River changed its course.
Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol said the initiative was launched after clearing unplanned settlements along the riverbanks, paving the way for land protection efforts. According to her, the move is in line with the approved Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Manohara Land Pooling Project, which aims to restore the river’s original course through technical and administrative measures.
As per the approved DPR, the river was supposed to follow its 2021 BS cadastral map alignment. However, it has shifted westward, causing around 100 ropani of land from Kathmandu to fall into Bhaktapur and about 15 ropani from Bhaktapur to shift towards Kathmandu.
Flooded Manohara River damages property worth Rs 7.5 million
While reviewing maps of the river area alongside Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain and project chief Nirmal Raj Baral, Acting Mayor Dangol said restoring the river’s designated flow area as per the DPR is a priority. She directed officials to complete legal and administrative procedures promptly.
“Works that could not be carried out earlier due to unmanaged settlements along the riverbanks must now be expedited to ensure timely completion of the project,” she said, instructing officials to prepare cost estimates, mobilize manpower, and move swiftly toward implementation.
Dangol also emphasized the need for proper management of individuals claiming to be landless, handling construction materials left behind after settlement clearance, and fencing off cleared areas for protection.
According to project chief Baral, of the roughly 1.5-kilometer river stretch within the project area, about 575 meters remain in their original state, while the rest have undergone course changes.
He added that areas where land had shifted towards Bhaktapur previously had permanent and temporary structures. “After relocating residents and demolishing structures, we have already moved forward with the replotting process,” he said.
