DHANKUTA: The road section of Koshi Highway beside Leuti River is at risk because of the excavation that occurs in the area.

Even though there is a regulation which prohibits riverside excavation around an area of 500 metres from the highway and bridge, the activity has continued unabated.

The road section extending 15 kilometres is at risk due to the excavation of materials such as sandstone, gravel, sand and stones from Leuti riverbank lying between the stretch of Bhedetar-6 and Budhimorang-4 of Sangurigadhi Rural Municipality, Dhankuta.

The excavation carried out without making an environmental effect assessment and preliminary environment analysis, as prescribed by the government, has impacted the highway safety.

The riverside excavation that began early on with contracts approved by the-then District Development Committee, Dhankuta and is still continuing with the same process has led to the collapse of the highway three times already. The locals have been affected for months due to the same reason.

Chairperson of the Federation of Contractors Association of Nepal, Arjun KC, stated on the issue that efforts for the analysis of environmental impacts could be made countrywide, as a whole, rather than in local levels.

However, the locals are of the opinion that the local government should be attentive not only towards the riverside excavation but also towards conservation of cultivable lands and riverbanks.