Pokhara, May 31:

With an aim to control pollution and encroachment of land around the Fewa Lake, the City Development Committee Kaski has initiated the construction of foot path, bicycle track and horse track, president of the committee Bishwo Prakash Lamichhane said, adding that the tracks will have a length of 14 km.

The first phase will involve the construction of a foot path linking Hallan Chowk (Democracy Chowk) with Barahi Chowk. According to Lamichhane, Rs 2.2 million has been earmarked for the construction of the foot path.

Kaski-based local bodies, tourist entrepreneurs, Pokhara sub-metropolis and City Development Committee came up with the plan and agreed to begin work on the project on the Republic Day (May 28).

According to Lamichhane, Rs 30 million will be required to execute the project.

“A discussion is being held with the National Planning Commission (NPC) to complete the construction work on time. The NPC has pledged support for the project.”

The Pokhara Valley Lake Conservation Committee will construct the one-kilometre-long path by mid-July. The second phase of construction will begin from July if the NPC offers assistance, Lamichhane said.

Workers and 50 YCL cadres are involved in the construction work, he said. Along with tracks, drain pipes will also be laid, according to Lamichhane.

Tourism entrepreneurs were expecting that stay of internal and domestic tourists in Pokhara will increase once the foot path, bicycle track and horse track are constructed.