Kathmandu— Dhurkot Rural Municipality in Nepal's Gulmi district has announced a plan to build homes for 53 landless families shortly after they receive official land ownership, prioritizing housing construction as soon as the Land Problem Resolution Committee completes its work. The initiative aims to address housing insecurity among Dalits, squatters, and unorganized settlers within the municipality, with each home budgeted at approximately Rs 400,000. Rural Municipality Chairman Bhupal Pokharel emphasized the need for expedited land titling from the federal government to facilitate the project, while also highlighting existing housing programs implemented over the past two years.

Housing Initiatives and Progress

Chairman Pokharel stated that during his two-year tenure, a total of 1,475 houses have been constructed, repaired, or provided with CGI zinc-sheet roofing. The rural municipality directly funded the construction of 11 homes for impoverished families and subsidized CGI sheet roofs for an additional 504 houses. Furthermore, in collaboration with provincial and federal governments, they’ve built 201 houses for those affected by monsoon disasters, with 38 currently under construction.

Integrated Housing Programs

Beyond disaster relief, Dhurkot Rural Municipality has implemented a variety of housing programs including the creation of 18 integrated model settlements. Rudra Pachai, chief administrative officer, reported that 529 houses were built through post-earthquake reconstruction efforts, 157 via the Safe Citizen Housing Programme, and 37 through the Public Housing Programme. These initiatives are being carried out in partnership with various levels of government to maximize impact.

Expanding Access to Water

Alongside housing, Dhurkot Rural Municipality is prioritizing access to clean drinking water through its ‘One House, One Tap’ program. According to Chhabilal Bishwakarma, the Housing Coordinator, the initiative has successfully connected 5,026 of the municipality's 5,380 households to a potable water supply. Plans are underway to extend this service to the remaining households, integrating it with ongoing housing projects.

Land Titling Efforts in Gulmi District

The initiative within Dhurkot Rural Municipality is part of a broader effort across Gulmi district to address landlessness. The Land Problem Resolution Commission’s district committee has distributed land titles to 79 individuals in four local levels – Ruru, Resunga, Madane and Chhatrakot – out of a total of 2,759 identified beneficiaries. These beneficiaries include 300 landless Dalits, 239 landless squatters, and 2,220 unorganized settlers.

Dhurkot Rural Municipality continues to facilitate the process of obtaining land titles for eligible families, with construction expected to begin promptly upon registration, aiming to provide safe and secure housing for those previously without.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.