KATHMANDU: The government has launched a nationwide campaign to remove illegally constructed structures on public and government land, including in the Kathmandu Valley. The drive began on Saturday with the clearance of encroached settlements in high-risk areas.
In the first phase, authorities removed illegal structures along riverbanks in Thapathali, Sinamangal–Gairigaun, and Shantinagar areas of Kathmandu. On Sunday, a joint team of security agencies, including Nepal Police and Armed Police Force Nepal, continued demolition work along the Manohara River, removing additional encroached structures.
Development Commissioner of the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority, Januka Dhakal, said the initial phase focuses on clearing settlements in vulnerable and high-risk zones. The second phase will focus on identifying landless families and arranging proper settlement management.
According to the Authority, preliminary data on displaced families is being collected, and temporary arrangements for shelter are being made while encroached land is cleared.
Evacuation work has also begun in Gothatar Buddha Chowk and Manohara Tole areas of Ward No. 9 in Kageshwari Manohara Municipality-8. Security personnel have been assisting residents in transporting their belongings before demolition of physical structures.
Officials said 214 families have so far come into contact with authorities during the evacuation process. Temporary arrangements for food and accommodation have been made in various hotels for affected families.
As part of the broader campaign, encroached structures have been removed from several districts including Rupandehi, Nuwakot, and Parsa. In Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City-4 of Rupandehi, illegal structures on public land were demolished following prior notice issued by the municipality.
Similarly, the Galchhi–Rasuwagadhi Road Project Office in Nuwakot removed around 86 private and several government structures built on encroached land in Bidur Municipality. In Parsa, the Narayani Irrigation Management Office also cleared illegal settlements along the Gandak Canal with the support of security agencies.
Birgunj Metropolitan City confirmed that coordinated demolition efforts were carried out with Nepal Police and Armed Police Force Nepal during the operation.
Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki also inspected the ongoing eviction drive along the Manohara River and took updates on the relocation and management of displaced families, according to Police Headquarters.
On Saturday, a minor clash occurred during the eviction process in the Manohara area, injuring 22 security personnel after resistance from some locals. Authorities said the operation is now proceeding peacefully.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Alliance has expressed concern over the eviction drive, stating that removing squatters and landless people without alternative arrangements is not appropriate from a humanitarian and human rights perspective.
In a statement issued by its president Bidur Subedi, the alliance warned that fear, insecurity, and uncertainty among displaced families could weaken trust between citizens and the state.
It has called for open, meaningful dialogue with affected communities and urged authorities to avoid forced eviction without proper rehabilitation measures.
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