Kathmandu, December 30:

Section of Guna Kamadev Marg in Teku was blacktopped for the second time in almost 40 years with local support.

“It’s the first time that the ward has blacktopped the road completely. Earlier, Kathmandu Metropolitan City used to do the patch work occasionally,” said Gyan Shova Tuladhar, a local shopkeeper.

She said the undertaking had eased vehicular movement and the locals no longer have to inhale dust.

Bal Krishna Maharjan, president of the consumers’ committee, said they had collected Rs 1,000 from each household for the purpose.

The 11-member forum had collected the amount and coordinated with the government.

Maharjan said the locals had enthusiastically contributed to the blacktopping of the road.

Rabi Shrestha, secretary at Ward No 12 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) said they had adopted the concept of public private partnership to complete the task — 90 per cent cost borne by municipality, 10 per cent by the locals.

Shrestha said with their contribution the locals feel its their own road.

Who is responsible

The total cost for the construction of the 150-metre stretch was about Rs 2.3 million, of which

10 per cent was contributed by the locals. With blacktopping over, we’ll dig drains on either side of the road.

—Rabi Shrestha Secretary KMC Ward No 12