Kathmandu, November 15

The locals of the Kalanki-Nagdhunga stretch today staged a protest against the delay in black-topping the under-construction road.

Vehicular movement was halted for more than one hour after irate locals blocked the road with boulders and drainage pipes in Kalanki, traffic officials said. Expansion of the road section is yet to gain momentum despite directives from Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to the authorities concerned to expedite the construction and repair/maintenance work.

On July 11, Prime Minister Oli had instructed Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth to complete construction of the road by August 28. The ministry had also warned that it would initiate action against Sailung Construction, the contractor, if the latter failed to complete the work within the stipulated time. The local also demanded action against the contractor.

However, the locals and commuters travelling along the six-kilometre road section navigate through puddles during monsoon and face the brunt of cloudy dust in the dry season as the authorities concerned have turned a blind eye to their plight.