Nepal

Resuming its demolition drive, Kathmandu Metropolitan City has started pulling down unauthorised structures in Thapathali area.

KMC officials said all unauthorised structures built in the area from Thapathali to the UN Park bridge are being removed on Friday.

Spokesperson for KMC Nabin Manandar told NepalMinute.com: "Structures such as the Kiriyaputri Bhawan [home for mourners], Om Shanti Bhawan, and Pujari Bhawan of Rudreshwar Temple are currently being removed."

He added that the buildings in the area were being removed as they were unauthorised and built on public land.

KMC, in coordination with the High-Powered Bagmati Civilisation Integrated Development Committee, is removing the buildings built in the Thapathali area near squatter settlements and along the Bagmati bank.

Under the new leadership of Mayor Balendra Shah KMC started the demolition drive a few weeks ago.

The drive has earned praises for the most part. But when the KMC demolished a community building at Bangemunda in the capital's core area, some angry locals criticised the drive, with a group going to the extent of burning Balen Shah's effigy.

KMC's move to reopen the Tukucha river - channeled into a tunnel in the Old Town area m

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