Over three months later, traffic police are not only demolishing traffic islands, pavements and compound walls but also bulldozing the front portions of some houses whose construction encroaches on public roads. "No one ever dared to demolish such illegally-built frastructures in the last 35 years," says traffic police DIG Ganesh Raj Rai. "If we fail this time, I´m sure no one will ever attempt to widen the Valley roads for many years to come." [break]
The Kathmandu Valley Town Development Centre (KVTDC) -- which has been leading the drive in cooperation with the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division (MTPD) and the Department of Roads (DoR) -- says that altogether 13 kilometers of Valley roads that comprise various sections rather than a single long stretch have now either been expanded or are being expanded.
Yet, as KVTDC chief Dr Bhaikaji Tiwari says, this is just the beginning, as almost 400 kilometers of Valley roads need to be expanded. "If the expansion drive goes smoothly, we can hopefully finish the current expansion of most Valley roads in two years regardless of any changes in government," Dr Tiwari says, adding, "If the drive succeeds, the Valley will be a much better place to live in. Today´s traffic snarls will be eased to a great extent."
As of now, the biggest accomplishment of the drive seems to be the widening of the Maitighar-Baneshwor-Tinkune section of Araniko Highway. After the demolition of the compound wall at the five-star Everest Hotel at Baneshwor, Dr Tiwari was hailed as a brave soul. "This was indeed a big achievement," says Dr Tiwari. "However, we need to do a lot more to ease traffic problems."
In keeping with the standards set for Valley roads under the Town Development Implementation Act-2029, KVTDC is expanding the Ring Road, which encircles the core of the capital, to 31 meters on either side from the center line. However, KVTDC has been lenient on some sections of the Ring Road, taking into consideration that many houses, mostly built before the standards came into effect in 2033 B.S., would need to be demolished.
For instance, KVTDC is expanding the Ring Road to only 15 meters on either side from the centre line along a 135-meter stretch east of Maharajgunj intersection. The exception is also applicable for a 109-meter stretch of the Ring Road west of Maharajgunj chowk. Exceptions have likewise been made for some other parts of the Ring Road.
KVTDC is expanding highway roads such as the Maitighar-Baneshwor-Tinkune section of Araniko Highway, by 25 meters on either side from the centre line. Likewise, arterial roads, connect roads and feeder roads are being expanded by 11 meters, 7 meters and 5.5 meters respectively on either side from the centre lines. Separate standards have been set for special paths such as the roads north and east of Narayanhiti palace.
According to KVTDC, some roads at and around Nagpokhari, Jai Nepal Cinema, the Social Welfare Council (SWC) at Laichaur and Kathmandu Plaza have been black-topped as well following the removal of illegally-constructed frastructures. Some Valley roads are still undergoing expansion work. The Supreme Court (SC) recently issued a stay order on the demolition of houses along the Kalimati-Kuleshwor-Balkhu road. However, government officials are quite confident that the SC will lift the stay order soon.
"About 75 percent of illegally-built frastructures have already been removed from the Kalimati-Balkhu road," says DIG Rai. "The remaining work will be completed shortly after the stay order is lifted." Earlier, the SC had lifted its stay order against the road expansion work at Baneshwor.
Traffic and city police are now busy marking illegally-built houses in the Subidhanagar-Munibhairab-Sahayoginagar, Shantinagar-Bhimsengola, Hanumanthan-Thapagaun-Baneshwor and Ghattekulo-Maitidevi areas. "Usually, a week after the marking we start demolishing the illegally-built infrastructures," says Dhanpati Sapkota, Implementaion Department Chief at Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC). "The markings are especially meant to inform people in advance. Some people demolish the frastructures themselves. Some others do not and we need to step in."
However, even over a month after the markings, traffic police are yet to enter the Lazimpat-Maharajgunj area as locals claim that the blueprints for their houses were endorsed by KVTDC itself.
"We are verifying their claims," says Dr Tiwari. "We had given them a month´s time to produce proof. That time has already elapsed. If their claims are genuine, the government must provide compensation."
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