Kathmandu, November 10
The parliamentary Development Committee on Thursday directed the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority to explain within seven days reasons behind delays in expansion of the Tripureshwor-Kalimati-Kalanki road.
In course of its meeting, the committee told the authority to expand the road without relenting to political pressure. It issued the directive in the presence of stakeholders, including Minister for Urban Development.
Committee Chair Rabindra Adhikari told the authority to prepare and submit within seven days a report on road expansion-related problems and possible solutions. The committee also told the authority to explain why it pulled down the overhead bridge at Kalanki.
The committee pointed that dust emanating from roads under construction is affecting public health. It directed the authority and Kathmandu Metropolitan City to continue road construction, with a focus on the protection of collective human rights instead of rights of some individuals only. It told the authorities to protect and repair structures built in the run-up to the 18th SAARC Summit.
Committee Chair Adhikari asked political parties, administrative agencies and local people, among others, not to create obstructions in road expansion work.
At the meeting, Urban Development Minister Arjun Narsingh KC said they will remove structures built by flouting set standards without delay. He pledged to move ahead the road expansion works effectively.
Bhaikaji Tiwari, chief executive of the authority, said construction work has suffered for want of human resources. He called for appointing employees through Public Service Commission. Tiwari said they also plan to start construction of Outer Ring Road from this fiscal itself.
