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The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has planned to increase the number of street lamps and high-mast lamps in the capital to enhance safety for city dwellers and visitors.

Unveiling the KMC’s policy and program for the next fiscal year, Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol on Sunday announced plans to promote smart-technology based infrastructure inside the metropolis area. “Based on the database, the necessary infrastructure work will be done to protect the river banks and public places within the metropolis,” reads the KMC’s policy and program.

The policy and program also announced that an integrated mechanism will be formed and activated to coordinate among the bodies responsible for developing physical infrastructure and operating services within the metropolitan area to ensure the highest return on public finance and to ensure that the residents of the metropolitan city do not face any inconvenience.

The metropolis has announced that a GIS-based monitoring system will be developed and put into use. It also talks about implementing measures such as updating the electronic building permit system in a timely manner and interlinking the biometric system with the national identity card system, coordinating with banks and financial institutions to use the electronic building permit system of the KMC while disbursing loans secured by real estate within the metropolis. Likewise, the KMC has announced plans of providing a 15 percent discount on the map approval fee for the first time when a building is constructed in the name of women, disabled people, and senior citizens.

Likewise, the KMC has envisioned launching concessional insurance schemes for all types of public and private buildings and physical structures to be constructed and already constructed within the KMC area, aiming to arrange for risk transfer and financial security of all types of structures. “To launch a campaign to make all buildings within the metropolis disaster-resilient within the next five years, risk survey and strengthening and necessary maintenance will be initiated with the participation of the community from next fiscal year.”

Incorporating energy efficient technology and groundwater recharge technology in building construction, developing a safe, organized and sustainable urban transport system through road safety, effective traffic management and promotion of quality public transport, and building pedestrian and bicycle-friendly infrastructure and expanding services, are among the targeted program of the KMC for the FY 2026/27.

Meanwhile, the KMC has stated that it will be making it mandatory to register rented houses and other structures and assets within the metropolis area in order to formalize house rent. It has also mentioned providing a unified taxpayer identification number. To provide nutritional allowance to senior citizens above 75 years of age and city residents with complete disabilities are among the announced programs of the KMC.