Sanitary landfill site nears completion: DPM Singh

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 15: Various ministers apprised the House of Representatives of major updates on national policies and infrastructure projects during a question and answer session on Monday. 

While responding to the queries of lawmakers, they highlighted efforts to address urbanisation, waste management, land reform, and transportation bottlenecks.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh stated that a National Settlement Development Policy was being prepared to promote integrated urban and model settlement development across all 753 local levels. 

Stressing the growing challenge of urban management under federalism, Singh said that while all tiers of government are investing in urban infrastructure, resource limitations continue to slow progress.

In response to questions on waste management, DPM Singh confirmed that sanitary landfill infrastructure at Bancharedanda, mandated by a 2018 Cabinet decision, is nearly complete. The site, including a 25-metre-high dam, has been handed over to Kathmandu Metropolitan City. The dam’s height will be increased soon. He also noted that integrated waste management facilities have been built in Dhangadhi, Shuklaphanta, Godavari, Birgunj, and Nepalgunj under a regional urban development project.

Singh highlighted the Intensive Urban Development Programme, which began in fiscal year 2016/17 with Rs. 500 million allocated to 18 Tarai municipalities. The initiative now covers 108 municipalities, improving roads, drainage systems, bus parks, parks, and markets.

According to the 2021 census, around 260,000 homes still have thatched roofs. To address this, the government launched the Safe Citizen Housing Programme in fiscal year 2018/19. So far, 214,230 homes in 74 districts have been approved for upgrading to galvanised sheet roofing.

Singh also said that the Department of Urban Development has completed full technical designs for a city hall in Kohalpur Municipality, prepared in 2018.

Meanwhile, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey said that efforts are ongoing to expand international flights from Pokhara International Airport. Flights on the Pokhara–Lhasa route via Himalayan Airlines have commenced, and further negotiations are underway with other carriers.

Minister Pandey also outlined proposed institutional reforms in Nepal Airlines Corporation, with strategic partnerships under consideration. Efforts are ongoing to improve mountain tourism, with 472 peaks opened and promotional materials for peaks above 8,000 metres being distributed globally.

Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Balram Adhikari addressed land tenure issues, including the Birta system, and committed to registering land in the names of actual farmers. The Land Problem Resolution Commission is working to distribute land to historically marginalised groups such as Haliyas, Kamaiyas, and Harwacharwas.

On the Guthi issue, Adhikari confirmed that a draft bill is being finalised following consultations with Guthiyars and stakeholders. Nepal currently has around 2,300 registered Guthis, covering over 1.45 million ropanis of land.

Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Devendra Dahal reported significant progress on the Narayanghat–Butwal road project, with 64 per cnet work completed. If not disrupted by heavy rains, the Daunne section should become fully operational soon. He also revealed plans to blacklist non-performing contractors and settle dues worth Rs. 230 billion.

Similarly, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari presented the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to Parliament, which bans illegal fishing subsidies and aims to conserve marine resources. The next meeting of the House of Representatives will be held on July 15 at 1:00pm.