Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, February 12:

The Division Road Office (DRO) of Kathmandu has begun extensive repair and maintenance work on the Valley roads.

The office has promised prompt maintenance services and pothole-free roads very soon.

“Though it is our regular work, we are taking it seriously this time. People will be able to see the change within 15 days,” said senior divisional engineer who heads DRO Kathmandu, Bal Krishna Upadhyay. The roads (128 km in all) include parts of Araniko Highway, Ring Road, the entire stretch of Dakshinkali road, VIP road to Airport, and the way to Budhanilkantha.

It also includes feeder roads — to Bouddha, Araniko highway up to Manohara bridge, Tribhuvan Highway upto Thankot, and up to Thulokhola on way to Trishuli. This does not include the inner city roads for which the DRO is not responsible. Meanwhile, DRO has also begun widening the Gaushala Ratopul road. This will be extended till Kamalpokhari Chowk later. The 800-metre road will be 16 metres wide with a three-metre wide footpath on the either side of blacktopped road.

Engineer Sunil Poudyal said the road construction is expected to be complete within the next five months if all goes according to plan.

“As there are many buildings along the way to Kamalpokhari till Krishna Pauroti, work to widen and extend the road will take time,” he said. All the trees falling within the area have been felled, while the construction of supporting walls is underway. Some four houses that lie in the way will be demolished after providing compensation to the respective owners.

The DRO has already served notices to the owners.