KATHMANDU, Aug 9: The mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), Balendra Shah (Balen), stated that the big ditch on the road in front of his office is the road of Tukucha Khola.

He took to Facebook and posted a video of the big ditch created after the road caved in,and said, “This is the road over Tukucha. A few more houses are standing on top of Tukucha like this. Some time ago, the KMC saw the same risk and started the work of opening Tukucha to open the river. But it could not go ahead due to the court’s orders.”

Mayor Shah also said that after the court's order, they have already sent a letter to the relevant ministry to deduct the land tax in accordance with the law on the land that was mistakenly registered in the name of individuals within the jurisdiction of Tukucha River.

"The government should take action as soon as possible and create an environment where the rights of the river will be handed over to the river itself by giving proper compensation. After this, the metropolis will immediately proceed with the opening of the river," he said.

Everyone should know that people should build a bridge somewhere over the river according to their needs, not houses and roads over the river, said Mayor Shah.

Due to the big ditch in the road section leading to Krishna Pauroti Chowk in Kamaladi from Mahendra Shalik at Durbarmarg, vehicular movement has been halted. The police have cordoned it off, and driving has been prohibited since last night.

This road is one way and comes under the Department of Roads. This road had collapsed before as well. It was repaired temporarily then. Following the incident, the department informed that it will take a few days to build the road as it collapsed critically. 

 
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