KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Encroachment removal campaign intensifies across the country
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.
Authorities demolish illegal structures along Manohara River
The demolition of illegally constructed houses and huts in a squatter settlement along the banks of the Manohara River in Kathmandu has been completed. The operation began on Sunday morning with the deployment of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel from Bhaktapur, according to Superintendent of Police Surya Bahadur Khadka, Chief of the District Police Range, Bhaktapur. Authorities had earlier given residents until 9:00 am to voluntarily demolish their houses and huts after they expressed willingness to do so themselves. SP Khadka stated that the demolition process proceeded after most of the structures in the Manohara settlement had already been vacated and relocated. The settlement consisted of 777 houses and huts. Earlier on Saturday evening, seven large concrete houses had already been demolished as part of the operation.
Govt identifies 13 challenges in energy sector
The government has identified 13 key challenges in Nepal’s energy sector, concluding that effective policy measures, diversified investment, and legal reforms are necessary to address them. According to the Energy Consumption Growth and Export Strategy 2083 prepared by the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, major challenges include weak distribution system capacity and quality, as well as the lack of reliable electricity supply for the industrial sector. The strategy also highlights rising electricity demand driven by increased use of high-consumption devices in households and commercial sectors, as well as growing demand in agriculture, irrigation, and industry. In addition, the lack of electric vehicle charging infrastructure has been identified as a key obstacle.
Shekhar Koirala holds dialogue with Congress leaders, intellectuals and Gen-Z youth
Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala held a discussion with intellectuals and party members on the current state of the country and the party. The interaction, organized at his contact office in Bishalnagar, was attended by several prominent figures including Purushottam Dahal, Kishor Nepal, Dinesh Bhattarai, Madhuram Acharya, Haridarshan Shrestha, Sher Bahadur KC and Upendra Keshari Neupane. Others present included Binita Karki, Jagdish Dahal, Kul Chandra Wagle, Puranjan Acharya, Bishnu Budhathoki and Uddhav Pyakurel, along with Gen-Z participants Abhijit Adhikari and Karina Puri.
Registration of displaced squatters underway at Dasrath Stadium
As the government continues demolition drives in squatter settlements across Thapathali, Sinamangal, and Manohara, authorities have begun registering displaced families at Dasrath Rangasala. Officials from the Bagmati Civilization Integrated Development Committee and the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority are carrying out the registration process of individuals relocated from the cleared settlements. According to Bidur Jha, deputy project director of the committee, a total of 340 families have been registered so far.
TU gives CAN 35-day ultimatum to vacate cricket ground
Tribhuvan University has issued a 35-day ultimatum to Cricket Association of Nepal to vacate the cricket ground located within its premises. The directive follows a public notice issued on Baisakh 4 as part of the government’s broader campaign to reclaim encroached land, instructing concerned entities to clear occupied areas. Acting on the same decision, the university’s Registrar Office, through its General Administration Division, has formally written to CAN. The existing agreement between TU and CAN is set to expire at the end of this month.
Two arrested for alleged hacking and contract manipulation in govt e-GP system
Two individuals have been arrested on charges of illegally accessing and manipulating contract details in the government’s electronic procurement system. According to police, the accused allegedly gained unauthorized access to the Public Procurement Monitoring Office (PPMO)’s e-Government Procurement (e-GP) system and altered contract-related documents before the opening of financial proposals. Following a complaint lodged with the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau, an investigation was initiated under the Electronic Transactions Act, 2063. Based on an arrest warrant issued by the Kathmandu District Court, a police team detained the suspects. The arrested individuals have been identified as Swadesh Pokharel, 30, originally from Siraha and currently residing in Bhaktapur, and Prakash Dhungana, 41, originally from Nuwakot and currently residing in Kathmandu.
Removal of encroachments along Gandak Canal begins
The Birgunj–Narayan Irrigation Management Office has begun removing houses, huts, and other structures built illegally along the banks of the Gandak Canal. The drive started from this morning in areas extending from Jankitola to Gandak Chowk along the canal corridor. According to the office, more than 300 encroached structures—including houses, huts, shops, and fish ponds constructed by locals—are being cleared. The operation is being carried out with the support of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel.
422 disaster incidents reported in 12 days
A total of 422 disaster-related incidents have been recorded across the country since the mid-April. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 23 people lost their lives and 73 others were injured between mid-April 1 to April 25. The data shows 217 fire incidents, 14 lightning strikes, 29 windstorms, and three landslides during this period. Other incidents include one boat capsize, 20 snakebite cases, 16 animal attacks, and two cases each of heavy rainfall, floods, landslides, and hailstorms. In total, 527 disaster incidents have been reported during this period. Within just 24 hours—from the morning of April 25 to the morning of April 25—32 incidents were recorded. Altogether, disasters have affected 27 districts across the country.
Gold and silver prices rise
Gold and silver prices increased in the local market today, with gold rising by Rs 2,700 per tola and silver by Rs 50. According to the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Federation, gold was traded at Rs 299,200 per tola, while silver was priced at Rs 4,995 per tola. Last Friday, gold was priced at Rs 296,500 per tola and silver at Rs 4,945 per tola. In the international market, gold is trading at around $4,724 per ounce, while silver is priced at approximately $75 per ounce, according to international media reports.
NC to choose Parliamentary Party leader on Monday
The main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) is set to elect its Parliamentary Party leader on Monday. The issue was discussed among party lawmakers at the party office in Singha Durbar on Sunday afternoon. According to leaders, the party will first attempt to select the leader unanimously. If consensus is not reached, the decision will be taken through a formal election process on Monday. Sunday’s meeting discussed the selection of the parliamentary party leader. The process of registering aspirants will begin tomorrow at 9 am. Whether by consensus or election, the decision will be made tomorrow, according to a Nepali Congress lawmaker. Similarly, discussions were held on forming a Parliamentary Coordination Board to support parliamentary affairs, research, and legal matters.
NC row: Purna Bahadur Khadka calls 2-day ‘strategic’ meeting of close associates
A meeting of a faction within the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) is set to take place in Kathmandu. Former Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka has called his close associates to the capital for a two-day meeting scheduled for April 28 and 29. The meeting will be held at Smart Palace in Dhumbarahi. According to a leader from the faction, district presidents considered close to Khadka have been invited. Similarly, defeated candidates in district president elections, district vice-presidents, and other office bearers aligned with the group have also been called. In addition, members elected to the party’s Central Working Committee from the group during the 14th general convention have been invited.
Sudurpaschim Assembly to convene budget session on April 30
Province Chief Nazir Miya has summoned the eighth (budget) session of the Sudurpaschim Province Assembly for April 30 at 4:00 PM. The session was called on the recommendation of Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah. Shah had visited the Province Chief’s residence in Dhangadhi to formally submit the proposal for convening the session. During the meeting, the Chief Minister and the Province Chief also discussed contemporary political issues, according to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
2,492 motorists penalized in traffic crackdown
A total of 2,492 drivers have been booked for traffic rule violations across the Kathmandu Valley in the past 24 hours, generating Rs 504,000 in revenue for the state. According to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, the highest number of violations involved 1,413 cases under miscellaneous offences. In addition, 68 drivers were penalised for driving under the influence of intoxicants, while 275 were booked for illegal ride-sharing activities. Other violations included 145 cases for ignoring traffic signals, 183 for speeding, 96 for not maintaining lane discipline, 75 for unnecessary honking in restricted areas, and 59 for failing to pick up or drop off passengers at designated points.
Bhimdatta Municipality launches scholarship programme for girls’ higher education
Bhimdatta Municipality has introduced a “Daughters in Higher Education Scholarship” program aimed at expanding access to higher education for girls from wealthy, Dalit and disadvantaged communities within the municipality. The initiative places special emphasis on technical and vocational education. According to Chief Administrative Officer Mahesh Bahadur Bam, two students will receive Rs 200,000 each to study MBBS, while three others will be awarded Rs 100,000 each for engineering studies. Similarly, six girl students pursuing nursing, pharmacy, science, management, education and humanities will receive Rs 50,000 each.
ANFA officials’ Passports Seized Amid Financial Investigation
The passports of officials from the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), who were suspended by the National Sports Council (NSC), have been seized as part of an ongoing investigation into financial matters. According to a source at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Immigration Department has confiscated the passports of ANFA officials following instructions related to the probe. The NSC had earlier formed a three-member investigation subcommittee coordinated by executive member Kamal Bhattarai to examine ANFA’s financial activities. NSC Member Secretary Ram Charitra Mehta said the committee was formed after receiving a letter from the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) through the Sports Ministry.
Farmers growing more aware of pesticide use in vegetables
Farmers engaged in commercial vegetable farming in Banke are becoming increasingly conscious about pesticide use. In previous years, pesticide residues were frequently detected in green vegetables brought to the Rani Talau Vegetable Market in Nepalgunj. However, no such residues have been found so far this year. According to Motisara Thapa Chhetri, chairperson of the Agricultural Produce Market Management Committee, stricter monitoring and enforcement have encouraged farmers to be more careful. Vegetables found to contain unsafe levels of pesticides are confiscated during sample testing, which has helped raise awareness among producers. Vegetables imported from India are first tested at customs by the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, and are then re-tested at the Rani Talau market. Testing is conducted almost daily, except on public holidays.
International Chernobyl disaster remembrance day: impacts still felt after 40 years
Today marked the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day. The United Nations General Assembly declared April 26 as an annual observance through a resolution passed on December 8, 2016. The day has been observed globally since 2017 and this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. The explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant released a massive radioactive cloud that spread across large parts of the former Soviet Union, affecting areas that are now within Belarus, Ukraine, and the Russian Federation. An estimated 8.4 million people were exposed to radiation. According to the United Nations, the disaster continues to have serious long-term consequences, with affected communities still requiring sustained support even decades later.
41 people arrested with drugs from various parts of country
Police on routine patrol have arrested 41 individuals from different parts of the country on drug-related charges.According to the Central Police Newsroom, several individuals were arrested from multiple districts with brown heroin.The arrests were made on Saturday, and police also recovered cash and drug-weighing scales from the suspects.
Rain disrupts roads and power supply in Bhojpur
Continuous rainfall has blocked roads and disrupted electricity service in the district. The road section at Bhojpur Municipality-5, Bokhim, has been completely blocked since Saturday evening due to rain-induced damage. The road is part of the Mid-Hill Pushpalal Highway, which is regularly used by vehicles. Ward Chair Phabindra Pradhan said vehicle movement has been affected and efforts are underway to repair and reopen the road. The rainfall has also damaged unpaved roads in several rural areas of the district, further affecting local transportation. Meanwhile, electricity supply in the district has been disrupted due to problems in hydropower projects and the 33 kV national transmission line operating in the area.
Two killed, three Injured in car crash in Kapilvastu
Two people were killed and three others injured in a Scorpio car accident in Kapilvastu, police said. The incident occurred when an Indian-registered Scorpio (UP 32 CA 8343), traveling from Bahadurganj to Taulihawa, crashed into a truck (Lu 1 Kha 9549) that had been parked on the roadside. According to Superintendent of Police Santosh Acharya, chief of the District Police Office Kapilvastu, the deceased have been identified as Radheshyam Kurmi, 50, of Kapilvastu Municipality-11, and Chinni Kurmi, 55, of Shivraj Municipality-6. Their bodies have been kept at District Hospital Kapilvastu for postmortem. The accident took place last night along the Hulaki Road section. Police have taken the truck driver, 28-year-old Suraj Acharya, into custody for investigation.
Removal of encroachments along Galchhi–Rasuwagadhi road begins
The Galchhi–Rasuwagadhi Road Project Office has begun removing encroached structures within the road’s right of way as part of an ongoing expansion project. Demolition of structures started on Saturday for those who failed to comply with earlier notices requiring the clearance of buildings within 15 meters on both sides of the road. According to Office Chief Krishnaraj Ojha, although compensation was offered in line with regulations and agreements were reached with many affected parties, structures belonging to those who did not comply are now being removed. These include 86 private houses and structures belonging to around a dozen government offices and organizations.
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