The protestors even blocked a road section in the marketplace after an incessant downpour that started on Sunday evening and continued until Monday morning flooded around 24 houses. Had the construction of drainage pipes along the Charkhel road section of Kohalpur market been completed on time, the rainwater would have never flooded the houses, the locals complained.
In an act of protest, locals from Sajha and Shanti tole also blocked the road section for an hour. “We had demanded the authority to extend the under-construction drainage pipes up to Tribhuwan Higher Secondary School but they never listened to us. Despite our concern, the work never kicked off,” said Purna Chandra Bhusal, a local from Shanti tole. [break]
The rainwater filled up the incomplete drainage pipes and entered the settlement, deluging the houses. The houses between Pipalchautari and Tribhuwan Higher Secondary School area has been affected the most.
A local political leader, Yam Bahadur Raut told Republica that they were left with no other options than hitting the streets.
“Houses have been deluged and the families have been displaced all because of the authority´s lethargy to shoulder their responsibility. They should compensate the victims and complete the construction work immediately,” Raut added.
Meanwhile, locals from Bikashnagar and Pasupatinath localities in Rajhena VDC-2 have damaged the road section in protest. There is lack of sufficient drainage pipes and culverts in various parts of the VDC.
“The government should, at least, construct drainage pipes to channel the rainwater though they are not interested in building other important physical infrastructures like canals,” said a local Bishnu Prasad Aryal.
CPN-Maoist Chairperson of Rajhena VDC, Krisha Prasad Tharu added, “The Government should address the problem without further delay as it can produce more trouble in days ahead.”
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