KMC says almost all buildings in city hubs like Durbar Marg, Putalisadak, New Road, Bhotahity, Tripureshwore and others are built for residential purposes. But the fact is all offices except government´s administrative offices are operating out of residential buildings.
According to KMC, landlords get multiple advantages including heavy relief in tax if they construct residential buildings. "Residential buildings can be constructed in small budget and in relatively small space. Wide passage and additional exit points are not needed," Chief of Urban Development Division at KMC Uttar Kumar Regmi said. "Due to weak foundation and fragile safety measures, they are prone of accidents," he said.
Regmi, who is also an architect, said landlords have voilated the rules. "What is the use of the building code if it is not followed," he questioned. Permission is required to change the use pattern of a building from residential to commercial but no one has taken ncessary permission or fulfilled the requirements to convert the nature of their buildings. The KMC said such businesses are liable for eviction as they are violating the rules.
Beginning Friday, the KMC has started monitoring of the buildings in the capital, which are used for commercial purposes. A KMC inspection team has started to collect data of the shops, departmental stores, schools, colleges and hospitals, which are operating from residential buildings. "Who will take the responsibility if a disaster takes place in the building where schools and colleges are operating," Regmi asked. He said the inspectors will first ask the landowners to use the buildings for the purpose for which they have taken the consent.
He claimed that the most of the buildings constructed for residential purposes do not meet security standards. "The government can impose penalty and evict the businesses if they do not obey our directives," he added.
The KMC has also started to monitor roadside houses, which have taken permission to construct parking in the basement. The owners do not have to pay tax for single-story building if they commit to operate parking in the basement. The KMC said dozens of people have taken consent to operate parking in the basement, but very few buildings have underground parking system. The KMC has not enforced building code or strictly monitored commercial buildings in the past.
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