KATHMANDU: Expansion of nine roads within the Kathmandu Valley has recently been completed while 10 others are in limbo for lack of petroleum products, according to the Kathmandu Valley Road Expansion Project (KVREP).

Among the completed roads are Lainchaur-Maharajgunj-Budhanilakantha road (8.350 km), Gaushala-Baneshwor road (3.430 km), Maitighar-Bhadrakali road (0.550 km) and Maitighar-Tinkune road (2.600 km).

Similarly, expansion of Dillibazaar-Bhatbhateni-Baluwatar road (3.230 km) and Kamalpokhari-Gyaneshower-Ratopul road (1.520 km) have also been completed.

The KVREP has also completed expanding Kamalpokhari-Jai Nepal road section stretching 0.400 km, Kalimati-Balkhu-Tribhuwan University Main Gate road (2.200 km) and Dhumbarahi-Mandikhatar-Golfutar road section (2.400 km).

The expansion of the 10 other roads which started in the second round of the Project has been stagnant in lack of adequate petroleum products following the unofficial border blockade imposed by India on Nepal and the disruption in supply of essential goods including fuel, shared Manoj Shrestha, Chief of the Project.

"It takes around 290,000 litres of diesel and 82,000 litres of kerosene to run the machines for expanding the roads," added Shrestha.

Among the roads overdue in completion are Sinamangal-Bagbazaar, Jadibuti-Pepsicola, Balaju-Bishnumati Corridor-Shobha Bhagawati, Tribhuwan University Main Gate-Laboratory School, Gaushala-Airport, Buddhanagar-Shankhamul and Raja Janak Marga in Tinkune.

Although the widespread fuel shortage plaguing the country and disrupting the construction of many development projects, the KVREP has started expansion of the Kalanki-Nagdhunga 12 km road and Sankhu-Chabahil road section stretching over the equal length, according Shrestha.