Kathmandu, January 29:

The beginning of road construction in New Plaza brought smiles to the faces of locals in October. But their happiness was shortlived, as the construction work was halted in November.

The construction work had started with the estimated total budget of Rs 1.5 million. Of which, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) agreed to bear 90 per cent, with the locals chipping in the remainder. The KMC disbursed Rs 0.5 million as part of its first installment. Though the KMC budget helped to fill puddles with pebbles, wear and tear started once the vehicles started plying.

“We are having a tough time as the road is in a dilapidated state. The condition of the road deteriorates during the rainy season,” said Suman Shrestha, a local. Pot holes have resurfaced, hitting the flow of traffic. Shrestha said smoke coming from the

vehicles fills in the entire place, especially during the time of rallies in

Putalisadak, as the road is a shortcut to Baidhyakhan road.

Who is responsible:

The construction of the road was halted due to the winter season, following the instruction of the KMC. It is said that a road constructed in the cold season does not last long. The construction should have completed two months ago. Now the construction work will resume in mid-February. — Maj Deepak Gurung, president of New Plaza Tole Sudhar Samiti.