KATHMANDU: Over the past eight years, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has rescued 2,919 street-dwellers as part of its efforts to provide shelter and rehabilitation.
The program began on November 17, 2017, when the metropolitan city signed an agreement with the Manav Sewa Ashram to manage and rehabilitate homeless individuals.
According to Ashram Chairperson Ramji Adhikari, 315 of those rescued have died, while 713 have been reunited with their families and 336 with local communities. Currently, 268 individuals remain under the Ashram’s care.
Acting Mayor of KMC, Sunita Dangol, said the city aims to declare certain geographic areas as “homeless-free” zones. “Our focus is not only on declaration but on ensuring sustainability through legal, administrative, and practical measures,” she said. “Coordination and facilitation mechanisms will be strengthened to make the initiative durable.”
Chief of Metropolitan Police, Bishnu Prasad Joshi, said the rescue of vulnerable street-dwellers continues. The city has already provided the Ashram with Rs 28.4 crore and one vehicle to support the operations.
Adhikari added that the Ashram coordinates the identification, referral, and management of street-dwellers. Regular support is provided by elected representatives, administrative staff, and the metropolitan police for services, registration, and rescue operations.
The Ashram has the capacity to accommodate over 250 individuals at the Raniban branch, more than 50 at Samakhusi, and over 100 at Raniban, along with planned facilities at Chundevi, Dhunibeshi, and Gajuri Rural Municipality, each capable of housing more than 50 people.
The Local Government Operation Act, 2017, mandates municipalities to operate, manage, monitor, and regulate rehabilitation centers for street children, orphans, helpless, disabled, and mentally unstable persons.
Adhikari stressed that sustainable implementation requires strong policy and institutional frameworks, scientific documentation of incidents, and mechanisms for health care, counseling, rehabilitation, and reunification, supported by adequate financial planning.
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