JUMLA, July 3: The road division office is set to demolish houses and other structures haphazardly constructed by encroaching upon the Karnali Highway.

Chitra Chaulagain, the information officer of the road division office, stated that structures unlawfully built within the boundaries of the highway, from Khulalu to Nagma Bazar and from Nagma to Jumla Khalanga, as well as within the boundaries of the Rara Highway, from Nagma to Gamgadi via the Nakchalagna road section, will be removed.

"We have issued a 35-day public notice to remove illegal structures built on both sides of the highway," said Information Officer Chaulagain. "The office is committed to widening the road by removing all illegal structures constructed along the highway."

Despite multiple notices to remove the encroachments, the local residents have shown disregard for the regulations. "The office will proceed as per Section 18 (3) of the Public Roads Act 1974," added Chaulagain.

Dipendra Bahadur Bista, the head of the Road Division Office, pointed out that hoarding and advertisement boards placed by hotels, liquor producers, and dealers along the road pose a risk to road safety.

The road office has sent a letter to the local governments urging them to promptly remove houses, towers, and other structures built by encroaching upon the road's boundary. However, the local governments have yet to take action against the encroachers.

The office highlighted its past efforts to tackle encroachment and emphasized that, as per the Public Roads Act of 1974, if the local government fails to comply even after reminders, the encroachments will be forcibly removed with administrative assistance. Although the responsibility lies with the local government to protect the road from encroachment, the issue has been neglected by the elected representatives.

 
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