Even after being cautioned by UNESCO that road construction in the Pashupati area, which also falls under the world heritage sites list, is inappropriate and against international norms, the Bagmati Civilisation Integrated Committee has started constructing a four-lane 800-metre long road from Tilganga to Tamraganga. The Pashupati area houses more than 500 monuments of historical, cultural and religious significance, most of them in dire need of preservation. According to the committee, the road is being constructed keeping in view the increasing traffic congestion in the capital. However, the road is only 50 metres away from the Pashupati temple. The addition of a road is feared to put these temples and monuments, especially Bishwarup temple and Shivpuri Baba’s hermitage, at risk of falling down. The area is prone to landslides as well.

The Pashupati Area Development Trust, which has been against unsystematic road construction in the area from the beginning, recently stressed the need to go ahead on the basis of mutual understanding to preserve cultural heritage. It thinks the road construction should start only after ensuring the safety of the cultural monuments. Given the increasing traffic congestion, construction of roads is no doubt a welcome effort. But this should not come at the cost of cultural treasures. All the sides, including the local people, would do well to sit together to find a way of building the road without causing damage to invaluable cultural assets.