Tourism Minister's directive to remove illegal structures in Pashupati area

KATHMANDU, Feb 01:Sudan Kirati, Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, has directed the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) to demolish any illegal constructions built on PADT land. He has directed that all structures built on the Trust's land be removed immediately.

Minister Kirati also asked that the illegal constructions, as well as the dwellings and other structures created by those who usurped them, be removed after the legal process was completed. Minister Kirati announced the formation of a high-level committee, led by a former secretary, to seek for lost and usurped lands.

People have usurped plots belonging to PADT, originally classified as plot no. 93, which now include plot numbers 102, 333, 335, 110, 419, 311, 286, 112, 117, and 283 in Kathmandu Metropolitan City-8. Houses have been built on three ropanis, six aanas, and one paisa of land. 

Similarly, it was discovered that people were utilizing structures built by usurping the previously authorized plot no. 51. These buildings presently occupy plots 143, 144, 65, and 28, totaling 3 ropanis and 8 annas of land in Bhagwansthan's ward 3. Furthermore, individuals have acquired ownership of plots 135, 180, and 83 in Lama Pokhari, Siphal, and are using them appropriately.

The government has also decided to form a committee to seek for the 29 ropani of land missing out of 534 ropani owned by the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) in Gothatar.

The board has resolved to fully dismantle the structures on that property and submit a technical evaluation to the metropolitan. Balen Shah, the Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, has stated that he is in charge of evacuating the structures built on the site after the technical review is completed.

Similarly, a five-member study committee has been constituted, led by Narayan Prasad Subedi, the fund's treasurer, to explore the truth regarding the Aarti at Pashupati Aryaghat and reverse the decision.