BHAKTAPUR: Bode-Mulpani road widening works have been put on hold for the past one year, following obstructions from the locals.

Locals have caused obstructions to the project demanding 'proper' compensation of crops damaged during the fall of a retaining wall while widening the road.

The upgrading works along the road connecting two districts — Bhaktapur and Kathmandu — have been stuck in limbo since the collapse of a retaining wall located near the Neelbarahi Police Check Post.

Although, the project contractor Santoshi PR JV Lalitpur, last year paid Rs 600 thousands to the local farmers suffering losses in the wall collapse, they have continued obstruction of the work citing the given amount 'minimal'.

The farmers have demanded Rs 3.7 million, according to Bhaktapur Road Division Office Chief Engineer Guru Prasad Adhikari.

The 2.8-kilometre road was planned to be expanded to seven metres in width along with pavements.

Physical structures including houses, electricity and telephone poles remaining within a distance of seven meters have not been removed yet which has also caused hurdles in the implementation of project.

A total of 38 houses, 35 electric poles, 32 telephone poles, two temples, a water stone spout and two compound walls remaining within the range of the road have become hurdles of the project.