kathmandu-The Patan High Court has cleared the way to move forward with the long-delayed integrated solid waste management project in Kathmandu Valley, which has been stalled for nearly 15 years. The court has directed Kathmandu Metropolitan City and other concerned authorities to implement the project.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City had unilaterally suspended its agreement with the proposed company, Nep Waste. In response to a petition filed by Nep Waste, the court on Wednesday annulled the city’s decision and ordered the project to proceed.

According to the court’s order, since the project will be financed entirely through foreign investment, proper coordination and facilitation among the Government of Nepal, the Investment Board, and local bodies is necessary. The court has also issued directive orders to the Chief Secretary and relevant agencies, requesting written progress reports every three months.

The project, initiated in 2009 (2066 BS), divides Kathmandu Valley into three packages for waste management. Planned as a public-private partnership, the project has been stalled for 15 years, and the court has now permitted its reactivation.

The court also clarified that since Nep Waste did not participate in the new tender process announced by the Metropolitan City and that proceeding with a new contract will not adversely affect the existing agreement, there is no basis to cancel the new tender notice.