Govt to construct flyover over Chabahil-Gaushala section of Ring Road

Kathmandu, November 19

The government has planned to construct a flyover over the Chabahil-Gaushala section of Ring Road as an alternative to widening the road in that area. The Department of Roads (DoR) has sought financial and technical support to construct the flyover in the aforementioned section from the Chinese team that is involved in the Ring Road expansion programme.

“Issues related to compensation of houses and land and resettlement of the people living in that area are very serious. Road expansion is very complicated in that area, so we have proposed to construct a flyover in that section,” said Sanjay Shrestha, deputy director general of DoR.

During the first phase of the Ring Road expansion project, the government has expanded almost all the sections of the Ring Road except the Chabahil-Gaushala segment.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has listed the Pashupatinath area as a World Heritage Site. Hence, the government cannot construct any infrastructure or demolish the present infrastructure in the vicinity of the Pashupatinath.

“The dense settlement and the World Heritage Site classification of the area are the major reasons why the government cannot expand the road in that section,” Shrestha informed. He added that DoR has planned to finalise the deal with the Chinese consultants as soon as possible.

As per DoR’s plan, along with the grant from China, the Nepal government will also invest in flyover project.

The first phase of the Ring Road expansion project from Koteshwor to Kalanki is continuing with the financial support of China.

After completion of the first phase, the DoR has planned to begin the second phase of Ring Road expansion project. The government has planned to complete the Ring Road expansion project within 2022, however due to delays in negotiations with the Chinese side and other preparatory works the project has been consequently delayed.

The government has been widening the 10.39km Koteshwor-Kalanki road section since 2012. According to Gyanendra Kumar Jha, chief of the project, the Ring Road expansion process will be completed by July, 2018, a deadline set by the DoR.

The next phase of Ring Road expansion also includes construction of a six-lane road and widening a few bridges. In the first phase, the government is constructing a six-lane road and widening four bridges.