Kathmandu, July 30

The authorities concerned have failed to fix potholes and pits on  the roads in Kathmandu Valley as the deadline given by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for the task expired today.

The prime minister had directed the authorities to fix potholes and pits on the roads in the Valley after a schoolgirl Binita Phuyal died after falling into a pit at Nepaltar.

According to a progress report submitted to the prime minister by Central Regional Road Directorate, only about 80 per cent road repair work has been completed in two weeks. The CRRD said rainfall prevented it from completing the remaining work.

Officials claimed that 80 per cent repair work was completed in two weeks, according to the PM’s press coordinator Govinda Pariyar.

Pariyar said the prime minister directed the authorities concerned to continue road repair works throughout the year.

According to progress report submitted by CRRD to the PM, all potholes along Tripureshwor-Sundhara road section, Tinkune, Tribhuvan International Airport, Gausala and Jamal were fixed.

Ninety-five per cent repair work has been completed in Sukedhara, Dhumbarahi, Swoyambhu Kalanki, Balaju Chowk, Banasthali and Swoyambhu areas. Likewise, 90 per cent repair work has been completed at Jayabageshwori, Gausala, Mitrapark, Anamnagar, Kalikasthan, Charkhal, Gyaneshwor, Jayanepal, Baluwatar, Police Training Center, Bhadrakali, Narayanhiti, Krishna Pauroti, Putalisadak, Kesharmahal, Durbarmarg, Samakhushi, Greenland Chowk, Tokha, Ring Road, Tankeshwor, Tanchal, Chauni, Tinkune and Koteshwor areas.

Eighty per cent repair work at Lainchaur, Golphutar-Budhanilkantha road section and ninety per cent work on filling pits and potholes along Thapathali-Maitighar road section have also been completed.

Seventy per cent potholes along Sundhara-Ratnapark road section have also been fixed. The remaining potholes would be fixed after maintenance of the sewerage system in the area.

Director General of the Department of Roads Gopal Sigdel told The Himalayan Times that they were in the final phase of fixing major potholes and pits on roads in the Valley.

“We would continue our work even after we complete fixing major potholes,” said Sigdel. He said that the department would continue its work throughout the year.

Director of the Project Implementation Directorate of Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited Tiresh Khatri said the directorate had already completed 85 per cent work and would complete the remaining work within the next few days.