Kavre, October 1

Road authorities in Bhaktapur have started pulling down illegal structures built along the Sanga-Dhulikhel section of Araniko Highway in the run-up to the preparation to upgrade Suryabinayak-Dulikhel stretch.

According to Division Road Office, Bhaktapur, 156 unauthorised structures along the Sanga-Dhulikhel road will be pulled down as per the demolition drive that started from Sanga in Banepa Municipality today.

Road Department Division engineer Guru Prasad Adhikari said houses built after 1974 would be demolished in the first phase. “There are 56 houses constructed before 1974 and they’ll be pulled down in the second phase only after providing compensation,” he added.

Earlier, the Road Department had issued a notice to locals urging them to remove illegally built structures on the roadside on their own.

As per requirement, structures built within 82 feet on either side of the road must be cleared. However, the criteria in case of Banepa Bazaar is 75 feet on either side of the road. A Supreme Court verdict set the criteria for Banepa Bazaar area.

Meanwhile, tension rose briefly in Sanga today after locals tried to interfere with the demolition drive. While some 51 and 44 houses will be demolished in ward10 and 14 respectively, houses will also be pulled down in wards 3, 4, 6 and 13.