Pokhara Metropolitan City issued a notice on April 17, instructing all individuals residing on public land without authorization to vacate within 35 days. Preparations are underway to deploy bulldozers to remove the unplanned settlements and informal housing at Pokhara Bus Park and the Sansthan area.
The National Land Rights Forum Kaski has formed a 35-member struggle committee to prevent the displacement. Managing unorganized settlements and informal residents has become a core agenda among candidates running for Pokhara’s mayoral office this election. The Pokhara Bus Park has long been a contentious area dominated by irregular settlements.
Originally acquired in 1974 BS (1967–68 AD), the land of Pokhara Bus Park is now filled with unorganized informal structures. Similarly, the Sansthan area, along with Prithvi Chowk Bus Park, has seen unauthorized occupation of public land by informal residents. Affiliates of political parties’ youth wings, labor organizations, and the Young Communist League have also occupied land under the jurisdiction of the Pokhara Valley Urban Development Committee, constructing unauthorized buildings.
Labor groups linked to major political parties such as the Congress, UML, and NCP have rented out these occupied lands for commercial use. Following the pro-democracy movement, Pokhara Metropolitan City had previously attempted to remove these structures but failed due to various complications and resistance.
On April 16, following the decision of the working committee, Pokhara Metropolitan City issued a formal notice on April 17 demanding the removal of all structures erected on public land without permission within 35 days. The notice triggered limited response initially, but after Prime Minister Balendra Shah initiated bulldozer operations to evict informal settlers, the city became alarmed.
The notice specifically called on various individuals and organizations occupying registered land without authorization to dismantle structures they have built, some of which have been rented out or walled off. Complaints about unauthorized offices and rented spaces prompted the municipality to issue evacuation notices, urging occupants to voluntarily vacate the premises.
