DoR set to expedite road expansion projects in Valley

Kathmandu, November 5

The Department of Roads has developed a plan for a relocation procedure for electricity and telephone lines, and drinking water and sewage pipes that have been obstructing the road expansion project in the capital.

The Central Regional Road Directorate said the plan detailed the estimated cost for the relocation, and requested an emergency budget release from the Ministry of Finance to accelerate the road expansion project. “Various organisations are involved in this project, so we are seeking consensus among all. This plan was a collaborative effort of all organisations,” Ayodhya Prasad Shrestha, regional director at the directorate, told The Himalayan Times, adding, “We have now sent the plan to the Cabinet.” Shrestha said all stakeholders would shoulder their responsibilities to execute the plan after receiving Cabinet approval. The Department of Roads, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority are   among some of the stakeholders of the road expansion project.

Shrestha said electricity and telephone lines, and drinking water and sewage pipes had delayed repair and maintenance of Tripureshwor-Nagdhunga and Chabahil-Jorpati-Sankhu road sections.

Expansion of both road sections were expected to be completed by July 15, 2017, but only about 20 to 25 per cent of work on the Tripureshwor-Nagdhunga section, and 15 to 20 per cent of the work on the expansion Chabahil-Jorpati-Sakhu section had been completed so far. At the current pace, the directorate said road expansion projects are likely to miss their deadlines.