SC Reverses 20-Meter Riverbank Space Order

The Supreme Court of Nepal has overturned its previous order on leaving minimum 20-meter setback along the banks of Bagmati and other rivers in Kathmandu valley.

The full bench of the court issued the order while hearing a petition filed by the then government for a review of the earlier decision.

The bench, consisting Justices Sunil Kumar Pokharel, Balkrishna Dhakal, and Nripadhwaj Niraula, heard the petition filed by previous government led by KP Sharma Oli, seeking review on the January 17, 2023 order.

After two years, the court has overturned its own ruling.

Residents living along the river banks in Kathmandu had been protesting against the decision, stating that over 300,000 people would be homeless.