Kathmandu, Nov. 10 -- The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has softened its earlier stance on immediately removing settlements built on encroached public land, announcing that it will first investigate complaints before taking any action. KMC sources said the metropolis has received numerous complaints regarding public land encroachment and structures built in violation of urban standards following the seven-day public notice jointly issued with the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority (KVDA) on October 31. The notice had asked occupants to voluntarily vacate encroached land within a week.

The KMC mayor's office has clarified that the complaints will be thoroughly investigated first and only then will action be taken against illegal s...