Kathmandu: Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah has voiced strong criticism over opportunistic behaviors in the implementation of court decisions regarding riverbank land use. His remarks come in response to past rulings that were never appealed by the authorities in power at the time.
In a social media post, Mayor Shah pointed out that a landmark decision made on July 20, 2019, by the Supreme Court, led by Justices Dr. Anandamohan Bhattarai and Sapana Pradhan Malla, called for an additional 20-meter standard for riverbank areas. The ruling aimed to preserve riverbanks by increasing their buffer zones, a move aimed at reducing environmental degradation and ensuring sustainable development.
At the time of the court’s decision, Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli was in power, along with Attorney General Agni Kharel, Bagmati Province Chief Minister Dormani Poudel, and Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya, all from the same political party. According to Shah, these officials did not file an appeal against the court’s decision, indicating their agreement with the ruling.
“The court’s decision followed a legal process where arguments were made by both sides. Yet, none of these leaders opted for an appeal, meaning they did not disagree with the verdict at the time,” Shah stated.
Shah further questioned why these leaders, who showed no dissent then, are now seemingly backtracking and expressing opposition to the court’s ruling. “Why was there no appeal at the time? Was it because they didn’t understand the decision, or is there now a different agenda at play?” he asked, drawing attention to what he called an “opportunistic” shift in behavior.
In his post, Shah used the Nepali saying, “The mother-in-law passed away long ago, but now the tears have come,” to highlight what he sees as a hypocritical attitude among leaders. He urged government authorities to be consistent and transparent in their actions, especially concerning the enforcement of land-use standards in riverbank areas.
Mayor Shah reiterated his call for strict adherence to regulations regarding construction along riverbanks, warning that failing to comply with legal standards will only lead to future problems. “Whether it’s planning construction, approving blueprints, or dealing with real estate, the riverbank standards must be respected,” he warned, urging stakeholders to be mindful of future legal consequences.
Shah’s strong remarks reflect growing concerns over haphazard urban planning and environmental degradation in Kathmandu, as well as the need for accountable governance.
