Kathmandu, January 28 The Chinese government has handed over the 10.5-kilometre-long Koteshwor-Kalanki road to the government today. The widening of the road section under the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project was carried out through the Chinese government’s aid. The road widening project had begun five years ago and was completed in December. Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi handed the symbolic key of the road to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at a programme today. On the occasion, Prime Minister Oli mentioned that the relationship between Nepal and China had become stronger over the years and hoped for more support in developmental works from the Chinese government. The prime minister also made a commitment that the government would ensure that no problems would arise in the second phase works like in the first phase. Oli directed all the concerned ministries and departments to facilitate the project implementation and promptly deal with obstructions in road projects caused by water pipelines and electricity poles, among others. Rabindra Shrestha, director general at the Department of Roads (DoR), informed that the works of the second phase would begin soon. The Chinese team had sought approval of detailed project report from DoR to start works of the second phase of Ring Road expansion project in October, which includes upgradation of the 8.2-kilometre-long stretch linking Kalanki with Maharajgunj. According to Shrestha, the 8.2-km stretch will be widened to 50 metres and will comprise an eight-lane road.