Kathmandu Valley Mayors Forum requests review of SC decision; PM assures to appeal for review

Kathmandu / Sept 9: The Kathmandu Valley Mayors Forum has requested a review of the Supreme Court (SC)’s decision to increase the setback standard along the Bagmati River and its tributaries by 20 meters. A meeting of the Forum held on Sunday concluded that adding an additional 20 meters to the current standards would negatively impact many ordinary citizens.

On December 18, the SC ordered the relocation of residents living along the Bagmati River and other rivers in the valley. The full text of the order also stated that the existing 20-meter setback standard for riverbanks was deemed inadequate and, hence, the court ordered an additional 20-meter increase.

The debate began after the Kathmandu Metropolitan City imposed a ban on any construction within the additional 20-meter area as per the Supreme Court’s decision. The Kathmandu Valley Mayors Forum has also expressed concern about the SC’s ruling.

The Forum stated that, based on the standards previously set by the Nepal Government, land partitioning, buying and selling, and transfer of ownership have been carried out. However, the recent court decision has created a situation where people are forced to abandon property they have earned through a lifetime of struggle.

“The Kathmandu Valley Mayors Forum strongly requests the Government of Nepal to review the decision, as it is extremely necessary to reconsider the ruling,” the forum stated.

Govt to review decision of not allowing to build structure 20 meters from River banks: PM Oli

Meanwhile, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has indicated that the government will soon go for a review (vacate) on the Supreme Court’s decision that no structure can be built up to 20 meters from the river bank of Kathmandu.

After understanding the memorandum of a team including coordinator Suman Sayami of the Valley Road Expansion Victim Struggle Committee and River Standard Concern Group PM Oli said that the government is ready to address the issues of local people and concern groups.

“We accept the decision of the court. However, some verdicts may be flawed because of varied reasons. The legal way to correct the verdict if it does not seem appropriate is to correct it. I believe that the court will consider people’s grievances and you will get justice. The Nepal culture is a symbol of unity and friendship. Varied elements are trying to break the national unity and identity. We need to be alert as those that lack substance may try to destroy the essence of unity,” said PM Oli in a meeting that was organized at the official residence of Prime Minister, Baluwatar, on Monday.