The historic Saptapatal Pokhari in Lagankhel, Lalitpur, is undergoing reconstruction.
The reconstruction work began two months ago as part of efforts to restore the pond to its original state after the building of Namuna Machchhindra Secondary School was demolished. The Lalitpur Metropolitan City is carrying out the reconstruction work.
The reconstruction process began after the Supreme Court canceled the registration of the pond’s land under the school’s name.
Following the court’s order, a land deed for 14 ropanis was issued in the name of Saptapatal. Local residents are delighted that this Lichchhavi-era pond is being revived.
The pond is adjacent to the Ashoka Stupa near the Lagankhel Bus Park.
Once spread over 200 ropanis, the pond had shrunk to less than 2 ropanis over time due to encroachment. Even the remaining portion had no water, and was covered by weeds and heaps of garbage.
Local resident Purna Sthapit fought a 15-year legal battle to restore the pond, which had been fading from public memory.
Among the many groups encroaching on the pond, Namuna Machchhindra School had occupied 14 ropanis.
In 2004, Sthapit filed a case in the Supreme Court to reclaim the pond’s land. On July 8, 2019, the Supreme Court ordered the return of the encroached land to the pond.
The ongoing reconstruction work is being carried out in accordance with that order.
After Purna’s legal victory, Lalitpur Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan coordinated with the Nepal Army to recover an additional 32 ropanis. The army’s Rajdal Battalion in Lagankhel had occupied a large portion of the pond’s land.
After the army demolished its wall and returned the pond’s land, reconstruction is being carried out on an area exceeding 45 ropanis.
Lalitpur Metropolitan City is investing in the pond’s reconstruction and the revival of the rajkulo (traditional irrigation canal) from Tika Bhairav to Lagankhel to supply water to the pond.
