Commercial high-rise buildings in the Kathmandu Valley have defied the government’s directive requiring them to submit details about the impact sustained during the April 25 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.

None of the high-rises have responded, according the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction’s (DUDBC) Kathmandu Division Office. “It has been 10 months since the earthquake. As commercial buildings are where the general people visit frequently, we had asked the operators of such properties to submit the report,” said Raju Man Manandhar, division chief at DUDBC.

The Valley has numerous shopping malls—featuring multiplexes and food courts—that host public events frequently.

Initially, DUDBC was not authorised by the Building Act to seek such details from commercial properties. But after a decision of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure that awarded it the authority, DUDBC had published a public notice to the property 

owners seeking the details. 

Manandhar said the lukewarm response was due to the absence of a clear law allowing the government to impose harsh punishments on such high-rise operators. 

“Even if a person or body builds a building without getting its design approved, we can fine a sum not exceeding Rs50,000. This is negligible amount for developers. Hence, it is difficult for us to act accordingly,” Manandhar said.

Most of the multi-storied commercial buildings in Kathmandu have been repaired and brought back into operation.

Housing apartments, however, have complied with the government’s directive. As many as 46 apartments submitted their reports to DUDBC. “Some of them have already obtained clearance certificates, while others are in the process of obtaining the certificates,” Manandhar said.