People badly marred by pollution
KATHMANDU: The people of Kalanki-Nagdhunga section of Kathmandu have to face dust pollution for an uncertain period of time as the Supreme Court could not give final verdict even in three years.
Photo : Amish Regmi
It is the concern and interest of ordinary people but the SC is yet to pave way to work on construction of the road from Kalanki to Nagdhunga. Kathmandu Valley Road Improvement Project started developing 22m wide four-lane road.
However, locals filed a writ petition at AC on February 23, 2016, mentioning that their houses would be completely damaged and demanded to stop the construction works. Immediately, SC issued order to postpone the expansion of the road. A total of 47 local people filed the writ against Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
It is one the main link road to connect Kathmandu Valley and other parts of the country. Hundreds of vehicles pass by through the road daily. But, the condition of the road in the capital city looks like new track opened in the rural parts of the country.
The road section from Kalanki to Nagdhunga totals only nine kilometers in length. However, it takes about two and half an hour for vehicles to cross the nine-kilometer section. In the name of improvement of road, the good road was damaged but not maintained in time, obstructing movement of people.
Local people have demanded to complete the construction of road sooner while their writ registered at the court has stopped construction. Due to the conflict between government and locals, the ordinary people and travelers have suffered from unwanted pollution. The one of the busiest roads becomes muddy in rainy and dusty in sunny days.
The demolition of houses along five kilometers section of nine kilometers is yet to be done. It has affected the construction of the road, according to Mukti Gautam, spokesperson for the Department of Roads. “Remaining section of roads is under construction and it is at the final stage,” he said. “Blacktopping has been affected due to continuous rains from April.” “Five kilometers of the road construction is delayed due to delay in SC verdict,” he added. “After verdict people should be compensated if necessary.”
