Riverbank residents begin leaving homes after eviction notice

Kathmandu / April 30: Residents living along riverbanks in Kathmandu have begun vacating their homes following an eviction notice issued by the District Administration Office on Wednesday.

People in areas including Balkhu and Banshighat started removing their belongings early Thursday. From Jagaran Marg in Balkhu to the vicinity of Kuleshwar Secondary School, residents were seen dismantling makeshift shelters and shifting goods on their own.

According to Kantipur’s multimedia correspondent Bishal Karki, many households have placed their belongings outside, complaining that authorities did not provide enough time or alternative housing. Rain has further worsened the situation, leaving belongings exposed.

In the area near the New Bus Park, residents have also started moving out. Kantipur correspondent Aarti Poudel reported that families were seen transporting goods, children leaving on bicycles, and some dismantling shop roofs along the riverbanks. Several residents appeared reluctant to speak, while others abandoned even newly built structures.

Similar scenes were reported from Shankhamul and Buddhanagar, where residents have begun clearing their homes, according to photojournalist Hemanta Shrestha.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s chief administrative officer Saroj Guragain said discussions are ongoing on where to relocate the displaced. “No location has been finalised yet. We also lack sufficient space to accommodate them,” he told Kantipur.

Authorities plan to deploy bulldozers at around 60 locations from Friday, which is expected to displace nearly 2,000 people.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway to carry out similar eviction drives in areas including Kapan in Budhanilkantha Municipality. The municipality has called an all-party meeting to decide on the issue.

Mayor Mitharam Adhikari said 785 squatter households in the municipality have been asked to vacate.