Kathmandu Metropolis Recovers Over 200 Ropani of Public Land in Ongoing Anti-Encroachment Drive

In a significant step toward protecting public property, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has reclaimed more than 208 ropani of land that had been illegally occupied for years. The recovered land, valued at around Rs 23 billion, marks one of the largest land recovery efforts in the city’s history.

Mayor Balendra Shah announced the development on Thursday through a social media post, stating that the metropolis has intensified its campaign to reclaim 1,859 ropani and 14 anna of encroached public land, estimated to be worth nearly Rs 200 billion.

Citing provisions under the Local Government Operation Act, 2074, KMC emphasized that it holds full authority to safeguard, manage, and recover public lands. The city has been actively pursuing a campaign to end the widespread tendency of encroachment and unauthorized occupation.

The recovered lands will soon be developed into parks, sports grounds, skateboard arenas, green zones, and public-use spaces to ensure their protection and community benefit.

KMC has also set up an implementation committee to advance the recovery of the remaining encroached land, acting on the recommendations of a commission led by former Secretary Ram Bahadur Rawal. The committee began its work on Thursday, focusing on long-term land protection and management.