Long-Term Urban Plan on Cards for Kathmandu Valley: Minister Ghising

The government intends to prepare a 50-year master plan to guide the urbanisation of the Kathmandu Valley, according to Minister for Urban Development Kulman Ghising.

Ghising, who also oversees the Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and Physical Infrastructure and Transport portfolios, made the remark at an event in the federal capital Saturday, November 1, marking the 650th week of the Bagmati Clean-up Mega Campaign.

“The long-term plan will be based on the projected population growth of the Kathmandu Valley,” Ghising said. “Our goal is to make the city beautiful through an integrated approach to sewage, electricity, drinking water, roads, waste management, and sewage treatment plants.”

He added: “Urban beauty cannot be achieved unless our rivers are clean. Managing rivers requires large investments, and therefore federal, provincial, and local governments must work together to implement river-cleaning and management projects.”

Former Chief Secretary Leela Mani Poudyal, who leads the clean-up campaign, urged the High Powered Committee for Integrated Development of Bagmati Civilization (HPCIDBC) to prioritise planned sewer construction and treatment systems over scattered urban projects.

The committee has drawn up a 2025–2045 action plan aimed at conserving and promoting water resources, increasing river flow, protecting biodiversity, advancing sustainable urban development, improving water quality and quantity, and safeguarding riverbanks and public land.

The implementation of the plan is estimated to cost around Rs 225 billion.