Kathmandu, November 23

Kathmandu Valley Development Authority has decided to use force to expand the Teku-Soltimode road stretch, where the locals have been obstructing the expansion move.

Bhai Kaji Tiwari, development commissioner at KVDA, said they had waited for too long seeking a solution, but the locals were neither ready to accept compensation nor lift obstruction.

“We must expand the road stretch at any cost. If the locals obstruct the expansion move again, we will have no choice but to use force ,” he told The Himalayan Times, adding, “Further obstruction will not be tolerated as this would affect the expansion move in other areas as well.”

He said the KDVA was prepared to use force if they faced obstruction in other areas. They have been facing the problem of site clearance on Tripureshwor-Nagdhunga and Chabahil-Jorpati-Sakhu routes.

According to the directorate, expansion of both sections had to be completed by July 15, 2017, but only 20 to 25 per cent work on Tripureshwor-Nagdhunga and 15 to 20 per cent work on Chabahil-Jorpati-Sakhu section have been completed so far.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has been receiving complaints of dust pollution due to ongoing road expansion work in various parts of the Valley. KMC Spokesperson Gyanendra Karki said people living near the road stretches were complaining of dust pollution.

The Kathmandu Valley Road Improvement Project had resumed expansion of 53 km of road segments in Kathmandu in July this year.

The project had started expansion of Tripureshwor-Kalanki, Chabahil-Jorpati-Sankhu, Jorpati-Sundarijal, Lagankhel-Satdobato, Imadol-Siddhipur-Godawari, Karmanasa-Harisiddhi, Dholahiti-Sunakothi-Chapagaun and Nakkhu-Bhaisepati-Bungamati road stretches.