Bhatbhateni violates law

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Ramps at Bhatbhateni Supermarket and Department Store at Patan have been constructed by encroaching the road by nearly five feet at the entrance and exit gates.

Likewise, an engineer in the map section of Lalitpur Sub-Metropolis office informed that the boundary wall was made without the supermarket getting ‘map approval’. Moreover, with neighbours lodging complaint, the sub-metropolis had to interfere. The supermarket’s drainage had apparently been interlinked to the main drainage system without permission. While the supermarket violated the law of the land, the sub-metropolis was kept in the dark regarding construction of the ramp and boundary wall.

The blueprint of the building, which was approved by the metropolis on July 11, 2010, explicitly mentions that while building a boundary wall, it is mandatory to leave a 5.5 metre right of way (for main road) and 1 metre setback (footpath) from the center of the road, however the provision has not been implemented,” locals complained.

However, Sub-metropolis chief Rajendra Kumar Paudel conceded that regular monitoring system was not in place to regulate construction. “Bhatbhateni employees have even denied receiving letters from us. Upon registration of complaints, we will look into the case” added Paudel. The provision is that we must dismantle all construction against standard norms and everything illegally made, and impose fine of up to Rs one lakh, according to Local Self-Governance Act-1999.

Monitoring official Baburaja Maharjan at sub metropolis expressed ignorance about the ramp and boundary wall, however, he said he intervened in

construction of the drainage and called those who had complained and Bhatbhateni people for settling the issue of drainage. “The rule should be equal for all,” said Hari Krishna Byanjankar, a local.

However, Supermarket Construction Supervisor Kamal Ghimire claimed that they do

not need to get approval of the blueprint of the boundary wall saying they just replaced the old one. Asked about the width they had left from the centre of the road while making the road, Ghimire repeatedly claimed they had abided by the law but did not tell specifically the space maintained while constructing the boundary wall.

The supermarket company has five separate shopping malls in the city.