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Pokhara Metropolitan City Clears Phirke Khola Encroachments for Corridor Project

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Pokhara Metropolitan City has begun removing encroachments along the Phirke Khola, a stream flowing through the city, with the goal of beautifying its banks and launching the Phirke Corridor Project. This initiative, supported by the federal government, aims to transform Pokhara into a "green, clean, modern, and world-class river-corridor city," according to City Mayor Dhan Raj Acharya. The operation concluded peacefully on its first day, though some residents expressed concerns about the proposed right-of-way criteria.

• The Pokhara Metropolitan City's encroachment removal drive on the Phirke Khola commenced on Sunday and is planned to continue as an ongoing campaign.
• A total of 35 permanent and 97 temporary private structures, along with 18 permanent and 10 temporary institutional structures, were found to be built illegally over the riverbed.
• Previous attempts to clear encroachments in 2070 BS were halted due to legal hurdles and other reasons, despite an initial drive by then-mayor Man Bahadur GC.
• The Phirke Corridor Project, intended to follow the riverbed clearing, will seek financial assistance from donor agencies.
• Local residents support the removal of structures directly over the stream but have reservations about the proposed 6-meter right-of-way criteria, deeming it unscientific and impractical.