Chitwan, January 3

Expansion work along the Narayangadh-Muglin road section has been moving at a snail’s pace though traffic movement is halted for four hours every day for the work.

Engineer Shiva Khanal of the project, said the expansion work was being constantly delayed due to various disturbances. He said though traffic movement had been halted from 11:00am to 3:00pm every day, it took around two hours in the morning to clear vehicles that had been halted earlier in Muglin and Ramnagar.

He added that ambulances, two-wheelers, tourist buses and vehicles of diplomatic commissions, among others, were not stopped during closure hours. Khanal informed that the actual repair work lasted for just over an hour everyday due to disturbances.

Meanwhile, a team led by Chief District Officer Narayan Prasad Bhatta reached the site and inspected the work progress in the area. The team comprised project chief, contractors and chief of the security department. CDO Bhatta said two-wheelers should not be allowed to ply along the road section during work hours.

Chitwan Police Chief SP Dipak Thapa said the concerned contractors were requested to clear the roads, spread water in dusty areas and fill ditches, among others after 3:00pm. He said traffic signals, mirrors and solar lights will be managed in risky areas.

As of yet, around 33 per cent of the total work has been completed. A 300-metre high hill needs to be cut at Sixteen kilo and a  44 metres tall hill at Ghumaune needs to be cut for the expansion. Engineer Khanal said the hills at Jalbire, Kalikhola and Charkilo will also be cut to expand the road.