PM Shah bats for durable solution of squatter’s problem; squatters in search of an alternative abode

Kathmandu / April 24: Prime Minister Balendra Shah said that the squatters along the riverbank in Kathmandu will be relocated to a safer place, keeping in mind humanitarian considerations.

He clarified that the decision was based on bearing in mind the hassle, threat to life, and inundation faced by the settlers each year because of floods triggered during rainy seasons.

Talking to the social media, PM said, “We must end the threat to life that the squatters face each year because of the flood. Being able to live safely is a basic human right; therefore, it is the responsibility of the government to safely relocate such people and settlements.

According to him, settlements along riverbanks in the Kathmandu Valley have obstructed drainage systems and contributed to pollution, expressing confidence that their relocation will improve the urban environment.

Prime Minister Shah said that settlements in areas such as Thapathali, Gairigaun, and Manohara will be relocated in a safe and orderly manner without the use of force.

He emphasized that managing landless squatters and protecting public land remain top priorities, in line with his electoral commitments, party pledges, and the government’s “100-point action plan.”

PM Shah also clarified that the government will distinguish between genuine landless squatters and encroachers.

“We will identify real squatters and differentiate them from encroachers,” he said. “Land will be distributed to genuine squatters across the country as soon as possible through proper procedures. The government is committed to finding a lasting solution to this long standing issue.”

He added that preparations for a systematic and secure relocation are underway and urged affected communities to trust the government process.

Thapathali squatters in search of an alternative abode

Squatter families living along the Bagmati riverbank in Thapathali have begun vacating the area after the government issued a directive to clear the settlement by Friday evening.

Residents, many of whom have lived there for years, were seen dismantling their makeshift homes and packing belongings amid an atmosphere of distress and uncertainty.

Small huts that once sheltered families are being taken apart as people gather essentials for survival and their children’s future.

The scene remains somber, with some residents folding bedding and clothes while others worry about where they will find shelter next. Many expressed deep anguish, saying they feel punished for being poor.

Since early Friday morning, locals have been hurriedly loading sheets, wooden planks, and kitchen items onto tractors and rickshaws.

Anticipating the arrival of government bulldozers, several families have already started demolishing their own homes.