An official notice has been issued directing the removal of around 300 houses and huts built along the Gandak Canal area in Triveni Dham, instructing occupants to vacate within 15 days.

The notice was issued on April 28 by the Nepal Gandak West Canal Irrigation Management Office, Semari, following a circular from the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation. It states that all structures built by encroaching on the canal area must be cleared by the occupants within the deadline, failing which legal action will be taken.

Although dated April 28, the notice was made public on Tuesday afternoon, May 5.

The order covers settlements built over many years along the banks of the Narayani River and the Gandak West Canal system in eastern Nawalparasi. The affected area falls under wards 6 and 7 of Binayi Tribeni Rural Municipality.

Ward 6 chair Narendra Shah said he was informed that the eviction notice covers a stretch of around 19 kilometres, from Triveni Bus Park to Jhulanipur in the south-west.

The sudden notice has created concern among residents living along the canal bank, many of whom have been staying there for years. The area includes a large number of small structures built informally over time.

Locals said most of the huts along the canal are used as small taverns where alcohol is sold. They said Indian visitors frequently cross over to the area, contributing to regular activity in these establishments.

Triveni Dham, which holds religious and historical significance, has long seen calls from locals to restrict the sale of alcohol and meat in the area. However, those demands have not been implemented so far.

Authorities have warned that if the structures are not removed within the given timeframe, action will be taken under existing laws.