KATHMANDU, Dec 13: The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) has issued a directive to all stakeholders concerned to temporarily halt the implementation of the Supreme Court’s verdict to establish an additional 20-meter buffer zone on the banks of the Bagmati River and its tributaries.
The apex court had ruled last December to prohibit construction within 30 meters of the Bagmati River and its tributaries in the Kathmandu Valley. However in a statement issued on Thursday, the OPMCM confirmed that it has communicated with government offices, local authorities and financial institutions to defer enforcement of the decision.
The SC has agreed to review a petition filed by the OPMCM challenging the 20-meter limit. Until the review is finalized, all parties have been instructed to suspend the implementation of the SC's ruling.