KATHMANDU: Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), Sunita Dangol, presented the Policy and Program for the fiscal year 2026/27 at the 19th Municipal Assembly on Sunday.
This marks the first time Deputy Mayor Dangol has presented the policy and program since assuming the role of acting mayor. The Metropolitan City has stated that the policy and program prioritizes urban infrastructure, good governance, education, health, environmental protection, and improved service delivery.
The KMC has announced plans to promote a healthy lifestyle through Ayurveda, alternative medicine, yoga, exercise, pranayama, and meditation. These initiatives have been included in the policy and program for the fiscal year 2026/27.
“While continuing the free ambulance service, a bike ambulance service will also be introduced, considering the narrow roads and increasing traffic pressure within the metropolitan area,” the policy and program states. The metropolis has also announced facilitation of dialysis services for the treatment of kidney diseases among its residents, along with special programs related to maternal and child health services.
“Breastfeeding and care blocks” will be established in public places to support mothers and infants. Hospitals and health institutions operating within the metropolitan area will be regulated and monitored to ensure quality service delivery. Additionally, the policy emphasizes strict implementation of a system providing 10 percent free treatment for poor and helpless citizens.
Key priorities of the metropolis include the construction of a metropolitan hospital to provide quality and specialized health services, the operation of a counseling service and call center to address rising mental health issues due to changing lifestyles, pneumonia vaccinations for senior citizens, health screenings for residents, and regular as well as emergency health camps in collaboration with health institutions.
Likewise, the KMC has announced plans to provide concessional loans to promote youth-focused self-employment, entrepreneurship development, and job creation. The metropolis has also unveiled a special “Gen Z, Gen Alpha” initiative in its policy and program for the fiscal year 2026/27. According to the policy and program presented by Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol during the first meeting of the 19th Municipal Assembly session, KMC will implement targeted empowerment programs for marginalized and vulnerable groups, including women, children, senior citizens, Indigenous peoples, nationalities, persons with disabilities, Dalits, unprotected individuals, gender and sexual minorities, single women, and the families of martyrs.
“The One Ward, One Model Program will be institutionalized to ensure its effective implementation and long-term sustainability,” the policy document states. It further announces a metropolitan campaign aimed at providing free health and counseling services to senior citizens and persons with disabilities at their homes. Nutritional allowances will also be provided to residents aged 75 years and above, as well as to individuals with complete disabilities living within the metropolis.
The policy further states that Kathmandu Metropolitan City will certify modern and traditional knowledge, skills, and arts as part of its effort to realize the vision of a “City of Humanity.”
To promote bird-friendly urban practices, water containers will be installed in neighborhoods, schools, parks, and communities across the metropolitan area to provide drinking water for birds.
The policy and program also highlights a special “Gen Z, Gen Alpha” initiative designed to strengthen engagement between respected national figures and the younger generation. It emphasizes recognizing young people as key drivers of good governance and pledges to incorporate their suggestions and address their needs through collaborative efforts.
Similarly, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has announced plans to manage solid waste by dividing the metropolis into seven clusters as part of its efforts to promote a circular economy and improve waste management through the use of technology.
According to the metropolitan city, the cluster-based system will encourage waste reduction, recycling, reuse, and resource recovery while ensuring more effective and sustainable solid waste management. The policy states that low-grade solid waste transported from transfer centres will be scientifically managed through the operation of a mechanized Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at the Banchare Danda landfill site.
KMC has also pledged to develop and expand public and vacant spaces within the metropolitan area into child-friendly and senior citizen-friendly parks.
In line with the “polluter pays” principle, the metropolitan city plans to introduce a single-door system for collecting solid waste management service fees. It will also initiate a cost-sharing mechanism based on the volume and nature of waste disposed of at the Banchare Danda landfill site by each local government.
The policy further states that information related to waste management will be made available to metropolitan offices, service providers, and service recipients through an online application.
In addition, KMC has committed to controlling air, water, land, noise, and visual pollution through the use of appropriate technologies. Environmental protection, pollution control, and waste reduction programmes will be implemented in coordination and partnership with the federal government, provincial governments, local governments, and relevant organizations.
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