Comprehensive investigation into Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah's tenure: Rs 121.5m AG objections, Rs 10m lift scandal, CIAA complaints, and financial irregularities at Kathmandu Metropolitan City.
This summary presents documented actions and records relating to Kathmandu Metropolitan City during Mayor Balendra Shah's tenure. Each item is categorized by evidence level: Auditor General objection, complaint filed, court order, official data, or estimate.
Status: Complaint filed; outcome pending
A complaint alleging irregularities in a ~Rs 10 million lift purchase for KMC was filed with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). Public reports describe alleged procedure bypass; adjudication is pending.
Sources: Nepal News, My Republica
Status: Auditor General objection (not a conviction)
The Office of the Auditor General flagged Rs 121.5 million in grants to foundations, noting some recipients lacked approved building maps and recommending action.
Sources: My Republica, Auditor General's Office
Key Development: Mayor Balen Shah initially approved the Kathmandu Tower project on 2023-12-20, with KMC fining and approving a revised map. However, he later vetoed the project and sought to halt construction work. The Patan High Court subsequently issued an interim order allowing construction to continue, creating a legal dispute over the approval process.
Timeline: Initial Approval (Dec 2023) → Later Veto → Court Intervention → Ongoing Litigation
Sources: My Republica, Desh Sanchar
Audit queries were raised regarding the 2024 Cannes travel. Media reports note objections and inquiries; primary documentation has been requested and will be added when released.
A formal complaint has been filed with the CIAA against Mayor Shah over financial irregularities. The complaint alleges misuse of public funds and violation of financial procedures.
Sources: My Republica
Shah sworn in as Kathmandu Mayor.
KMC announces citywide waste segregation.
Kathmandu designated a UNESCO Creative City of Film.
KMC dumps a truckload of dirt at the Road Division gate during a jurisdiction dispute.
Patan High Court quashes KMC's decision to scrap the valley waste agreement with Nepwaste.
| Promise | KPI (how measured) | Target | Current/Outcome (date) | Status | Evidence | Data Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KMC-run incinerator | Commissioned (Y/N); capacity t/day; commissioning date | Y; ≥300 t/day | N; 0 t/day (2025-09-21) | Not delivered | E5 | Audited |
| Waste segregation citywide | % households segregating at source | ≥70% | Orders issued; compliance low/uneven (2025-09-21) | Partial | E5 | Gap (no % published) |
| Landfill mitigation (odor/leachate, night-only) | Systems installed; blockade days/year | All installed; 0 days | Repeated blockades; mitigations under-implemented (2023–25) | Not delivered | E5 | Partial records |
| Footpaths citywide | m² completed / m² planned; % completion by ward | 32,851 m²; 100% | 10,729/32,851 m²; 32.7% (2025-02-19) | Partial | E3 | Official |
| Public toilets in all wards | # wards with functional public toilets | 32/32 | Unknown; scattered installs (2025-09-21) | Not delivered | Gap | Gap |
| GPS in public transport | % public vehicles tracked | ≥80% | No citywide rollout verified (2025-09-21) | Not delivered | Gap | Gap |
| CCTV in public vehicles | % public vehicles with CCTV | ≥80% | No citywide rollout verified (2025-09-21) | Not delivered | Gap | Gap |
| Free home checkups (70+) | # beneficiaries; ward coverage | All wards; rising trend | Not launched; different free-beds scheme instead (2024–25) | Not delivered (as pledged) | Health exhibits | Official (for beds) |
| Ambulance via KMC call center | Central dispatch live; SLA compliance | Live; ≥90% SLA | No operational citywide system verified | Not delivered | Gap | Gap |
| Revive stone spouts (hiti) | # sources restored and flowing | Program target set; ≥X/year | Limited pilots; not citywide | Partial | Gap | Gap |
| One house, one tree | % households planted | ≥80% | No citywide data | Not delivered | Gap | Gap |
| Idea bank (jobs/enterprise) | Platform live; # projects funded/placements | Live; ≥X/quarter | No functioning program verified | Not delivered | Gap | Gap |
| School upgrades (quality/technical) | # schools upgraded; outcome metrics | Annual target met | Some efforts; scale unverified | Partial | Gap | Gap |
Legend: Delivered=KPI met; Partial=some action without KPI met citywide; Not delivered=no verifiable
Despite being a core campaign promise, the waste management system has faced numerous challenges. The incinerator project has been mired in controversy, with questions about its environmental impact and cost-effectiveness.
While some progress has been made in waste segregation, the overall system remains inefficient. The city has struggled with proper waste collection and disposal, leading to environmental and health concerns.
Landfill agreements have been controversial, with local communities blocking waste disposal sites. The city has had to pay significant compensation to affected communities, raising questions about the planning and execution of waste management policies.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City unveiled a Rs. 25.76 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, but questions remain about fund allocation and utilization efficiency. The budget process has been criticized for lack of transparency and proper oversight mechanisms.
Analysis of budget allocation reveals disproportionate spending on aesthetic projects over essential services. While significant funds have been allocated to beautification projects, core infrastructure and public services have been neglected.
Budget absorption rates have been poor, with many allocated funds remaining unutilized. This suggests either poor planning or deliberate misallocation of resources for political purposes.
This article compiles records: audit objections, court orders, official budgets, program updates, and a filed complaint. Allegations remain subject to determination by competent authorities.
Key gaps are transparency and execution detail: ward-wise ledgers, cost/KPI disclosures for enforcement drives, and complete utilization data. Publishing these would allow clearer public evaluation.
Access the complete investigation report with all supporting documents and evidence.