News Summary
- The Pokhara High Court has issued a temporary order to halt demolition of bus park structures and scheduled a hearing on June 9 (26 Jestha), summoning both parties for discussion.
- Following the Pokhara Metropolitan City’s plans to clear the bus park area, many residents have begun vacating their shanties voluntarily.
- The Metropolitan City has formed a committee headed by former Justice Shankar Raj Baral and Administrative Officer Krishna Tiwari to investigate land ownership and identify original inhabitants.
May 6, Pokhara – The long-standing issue of Pokhara Buspark, involving acquisition of land over five decades ago and ongoing disputes concerning original inhabitants, land ownership, and transfers, has come under renewed focus. Following the deployment of bulldozers to demolish shanties at Amarsingh Maavi Chowr, structures inside Phirke Khola homes, and buildings erected by labor organizations linked to political parties near Prithivi Chowk, there is now active discussion about clearing the buspark area.
Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya recently announced plans to demolish illegally occupied land, including politically controlled areas like Phirke, used as vote banks. News of potential bulldozing in buspark has polarized the residents.
With reports that bulldozers might be brought in within 2-4 days, many residents have started vacating their shanties. Meanwhile, some landowners connected with Prithviaraj Marg have approached the courts.
Records show that in 1974 (2031 BS), 20.5 hectares (205 ropani) of land were acquired. Due to road standard adjustments of Prithviaraj Marg, the area designated as buspark shrank to 18.7 hectares (187 ropani), but currently it is confined to approximately 2.6 hectares (26 ropani).
Vehicles were parked on the remaining contracted land until Friday; by Saturday, residents started vacating hastily. Following bulldozer operations at Phirke, some shanties emptied voluntarily. Others were seen moving belongings out from shanties located near the buspark entrance.
Laxman Hirachan, who is vacating one such shanty, stated that they are landowners, not original inhabitants, but left upon municipal orders. “We are not original inhabitants, but bought the land; however, as directed by the municipality, we vacated. Now, management of the area is up to the municipality,” he said. “We do not oppose the development of a proper buspark.”
Among residents clearing their properties, more than 31 hold legal land ownership certificates. Some own land even from riverbed areas of the Seti River. According to Santosh Jisi, the municipality helped those vacating before demolitions began.
“Politics should be set aside here. The buspark has always been politicized, yet the situation stayed unchanged. This must end now,” Jisi said. “No party or leader should use this issue to mobilize people under the name of buspark development. We know what should be done and where.”
On Saturday, members of the Labour Culture Party led by Hark Sampang tried to pressure residents to vacate, but locals sent them away insisting not to politicize the issue.
Other original inhabitants who are moving belongings expressed uncertainty, saying, “They have started moving their things; we don’t know when it will be our turn to move.”
Those residing in permanent buildings are more apprehensive. Some built large houses with original inhabitant certificates, and others operate hotels and restaurants there.
Businesses and residents in the buspark area occupy land acquired during the tenures of various chairpersons of the Pokhara Valley Municipal Development Committee as well as land brought in from the airport.
Recent study reports indicate there are about 457 households living in unregulated settlements inside the buspark, along with 79 businesses operating.
On April 17 (Baisakh 4), after 15 days’ notice, the Pokhara Valley Municipal Development Committee announced a phased clearing of all structures by mutual agreement to build the buspark. Mayor Acharya has emphasized seeking a long-term solution with broad support from all stakeholders.
29 Landowners Seek Legal Recourse
Many residents have expressed dissatisfaction about the demolition rumors. While some are vacating voluntarily, 29 landowners have filed lawsuits seeking legal protection. They claim compensation was not fully paid after land acquisition and have received Supreme Court orders for compensation.
According to latest reports from 2003 BS (circa 1946 AD), 11% of the land alongside the highway was to be allocated to landowners affected by the acquisition. The total of 29 landowners have received land accordingly.
However, this land beside the highway near buspark entrance has been used for trade. When the municipality requested everyone vacate, these landowners submitted writ petitions.
The proposal to develop buspark on all lands south of Prithviaraj Marg led to progress on municipal planning but also spurred landowners to take legal action.
Landowners such as Shyam Krishna Bastola, Anuj Kumar Bastola, Yugendevi Shrestha Palikhe, Bhaskardev Palikhe, Rajani Palikhe, and Devendra Kayastha have filed writ petitions in the Pokhara High Court. The court issued a temporary injunction on June 5 (Jestha 22), halting demolitions and scheduled a hearing for June 9 (Jestha 26) to engage both parties.
Disputes also center around who was allocated 9 meters or 18 meters of land beside the highway. Mayor Acharya has urged finding a mutually agreeable alternative and confirmed that further investigations will take place.
Investigation Committees and Mayor Acharya’s Statement
Mayor Acharya, who faced criticism during his previous term for lack of results, has recently gained praise for decisive actions to protect government and public property and enforcing regulations. Ward chairs have expressed full support for his initiatives.
When the court attempted to block demolition of illegal structures at Phirke, these were ultimately dismantled under Ward 26 Chair Naren Thapa’s leadership in the mayor’s absence during a China visit.
All ward chairs and elected representatives are backing Mayor Acharya who is working through several committees toward sustainable management solutions.
Many seek clarity on when the buspark will be vacated and the process involved. Mayor Acharya said, “We are dividing the area and working on a long-term solution. Identification of original inhabitants is ongoing. Land recommendations are being processed and investigations on land sales are underway.”
The Metropolitan City approved on May 27 (Jestha 14) forming a committee to investigate land sales and ownership issues. Former Justice Shankar Raj Baral heads the committee. Though he is currently abroad, other members are working, with him expected to return by May 24 (Jestha 10), according to Mayor Acharya, who anticipates their report soon.
An identification committee for original inhabitants, chaired by Administrative Officer Krishna Tiwari, has been formed. So far, 572 individuals have applied for identification, with about 155 already processed. One report states 457 unregulated households reside within buspark.
To manage original inhabitants and unregulated residents, a land identification committee led by Ward 17 Chair Radhika Shahi Yogi has submitted a report with six alternatives to Mayor Acharya.
Mayor Acharya said, “The committee has provided six options. We will study these carefully and make decisions that prevent further disputes and avoid forcing residents to move to new locations unnecessarily. We expect to decide appropriate relocation sites within a few days.”
Land management recommendations include 46 ropani at Ramghat, Pokhara-11, proposed by Punar Samaj; 248 ropani at Bachhe Budhwa playground and Bhedi Farm area in Ward 14; 99 ropani at Majuwa, Pokhara-1; 430 ropani at Dobilla, Ward 21; 893 ropani in Ward 25; and 23 ropani at Pragati Tol, Ward 17—all related to original inhabitants. Mayor Acharya explained preparations are underway to manage original inhabitants from both buspark and Phirke Khola areas at a single location.
Once management alternatives are finalized, Mayor Acharya said residents and landowners will relocate voluntarily. “Coordination and management are key before any bulldozing,” he remarked. “We urge public, political parties, organizations, and stakeholders to support and cooperate in building Pokhara Buspark.”
Initially, bulldozers were scheduled to operate on May 29 (Jestha 25), but the court’s order calling both parties for discussion on June 9 (Jestha 26), along with ongoing committee work, suggests the process may be delayed.
