Kathmandu: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh has announced progress on the formulation of a national human settlement development policy aimed at establishing human settlements in a systematic manner.
According to National News Agency Nepal, during a question-and-answer session in the House of Representatives, Minister Singh highlighted the government’s commitment to prioritizing investment across all 753 local levels to advance systematic human settlement development. He responded to inquiries from MP Prem Suwal by detailing the Ministry of Urban Development’s role in constructing infrastructure for a landfill site at Bancharedanda, which is intended for the long-term management of waste in the Kathmandu Valley. Additional infrastructure for integrated waste management has already been constructed in Dhangadhi, Shuklaphanta, Godavari, Birgunj, and Nepalgunj.
Minister Singh also briefed the house on the Intensive Urban Development Program designed to implement periodic municipal plans. This initiative is part of the broader governmental efforts to enhance urban infrastructure.
Highlighting the Government of Nepal’s Safe Citizen Housing Program, Singh explained that the initiative, launched in the fiscal year 2075/76, targets replacing straw and thatched roofs with galvanized sheet roofs for enhanced safety and living conditions.
Further responding to MP Surya Prasad Dhakal, Minister Singh revealed that the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction has completed the entire design process, including soil testing and architectural and structural planning, for the city hall construction in Kohalpur Municipality.