Demolition of Remaining Informal Settlements in Manohara Continues with Deployment of 13 Dozers

April 27, Kathmandu – The demolition of the remaining informal houses in Manohara’s squatter settlements began early this morning with the assistance of dozers. Starting at 7 a.m., 13 dozers were deployed to dismantle the remaining structures. The demolition had commenced on Sunday morning along the banks of the Manohara River. Since some houses remain, the process is ongoing today. Police forces from Bhaktapur and municipal police teams from Kathmandu Metropolitan City have been deployed alongside the dozers to carry out the operation.

Previously, under the direction of Prime Minister Balendra Shah, houses in squatter settlements located in Thapathali and Gairigaun areas were demolished. The displaced residents from those areas have been managed by municipal police in Kirtipur, Nagarjun, and Bhaktapur. Across the Kathmandu Valley, nearly 27 locations—including along the Bagmati Riverbanks—have experienced encroachment on government land by squatter settlements.

According to written submissions made to the Supreme Court on December 19, 2023, by the concerned party and the empowered Bagmati Civilization Integrated Development Committee, there are 3,496 houses in these areas. Of these, 2,170 are under Kathmandu Metropolitan City, 90 in Kageshwari Manohara, 156 in Budhanilkantha, 215 in Godawari, 17 in Lalitpur Metropolitan City, and 773 in Bhaktapur district. Government data indicate there are approximately 1.5 to 1.6 million squatter families nationwide.