3 satellite towns planned in Kathmandu Valley

Published On: July 26, 2016 07:43 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, July 25: The Kathmandu Valley Development Authority (KVDA) is planning to study feasibility of three satellite towns within the Valley this year.

The satellite towns were planned with a view to stop the rapid urbanization of the central part of the capital by providing urban facilities in the outskirts of Kathmandu. The KVDA is preparing to materialize the concept after the government announced to develop satellite towns in the annual budget for the current fiscal year.

Officials at the KVDA informed that they are all set to hire consultants for the feasibility study.

Bhaikaji Tiwari, chief commissioner of the KVDA, said that the government has set a target to construct one of the three satellite towns within the next five years. As per the plan, the first satellite town to be developed along the Manohara Khola will cover an area of 100,000 ropanis of land.

According to him, they have also aimed at completing feasibility study for two other satellite towns within a year.

“At first, we are going to develop the Manohara Khola corridor as the satellite town in the Valley within next five years,” he said. “The areas from Gundu to Balkot of Bhaktapur district and the areas from Sainbu, Khokana, Bungmati to Chhampi are the ones planned for other two satellite towns.”

He further said that the biggest satellite town would be developed in Manohara Khola corridor with total area covering 100,000 ropanis of land.

Of the two other towns, one will cover 30,000 ropanis of land while another will expand across 40,000 ropanis.

“Our major objective of developing these satellite towns is to minimize the flow of people to the central areas of Kathmandu,” he said. “After developing the areas as satellite towns, the people can use the facilities of local market for their daily services, in addition to hospitals, schools, colleges and many more. They won't have to depend upon downtown for market and other services.”

The KVDA officials also believe that it will be helpful in managing traffic and other urban issues with the development of satellite towns in the outskirts of Kathmandu.