Kathmandu: The second phase of Ring Road expansion is likely to start from January 2020. The Department of Roads (DoR) is currently clearing the site along the Kalanki-Maharajgunj area. The Chinese government will start construction after completing site clearance. The road expansion project will be taking place under Chinese government funding.
Head of Ring Road Expansion Project, Mr. Amrit Mani Rimal stated that the site clearance has been initiated and is expected to be completed by December at a total cost of Rs.1 billion. According to him, trees are being felled and relocation of electricity poles, drinking water pipes, sewage lines, and other infrastructure is also being carried out. All in total over 2,060 trees will be cut in the Kalanki to Maharajgunj area.
Relocation of electricity poles, sewage lines, and drinking water pipes are still in process. Nepal Electricity Authority and Kathmandu UpatyakaKhanepani Ltd have started to remove their respective structures lying on the right of way of the road. The government had permitted the detailed engineering design and project report for implementation of the project.“After we clear the site by December, the Chinese contractor company will mobilize the necessary manpower and equipment in the project site from January,” he mentioned.
According to the plan, the 8.2km-long stretch will be widened to 60 meters and will comprise an eight-lane road along with additional six-meter-wide lanes on both sides of the road for easy pedestrian movement. The road stretch will be divided by the divider for safety.
As per Mr. Rimal, the road department is facing difficulties while clearing the sites in Swayambhu, ThuloBharyang and Maharajgunj. The local areas obstructing the works and negotiations are ongoing. He said that they have improved the design of Kalanki- Maharajgunj area compared to the Koteshwor – Kalanki area, where they have faced much criticism regarding pedestrian safety. While adding two underpasses, a flyover and 10 overhead bridges will be built along the Kalanki-Maharajgunj section.
The Chinese government has already completed the up-gradation works of the Koteshwor-Kalanki section under the first phase of the project. Last year it was officially handed over to the government.
Source: THT
