Chinese govt to fund ring road expansion
KATHMANDU,DEC 8:
Nine-kilometre stretch of the 10-lane ring road is being redesigned in coordination with the government of People’s Republic of China.
According to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works, the ring road stretch between Kalanki and Tinkune, will be expanded to 10 lanes by July 2014.
“The Chinese technical team is preparing the design. The team recently completed the field visit and started the designing process,” said Tulasi Prasad Sitaula, secretary at the MoPPW. “The bidding process will be over within six months and the Chinese government will send the contractors to carry out the construction by the next fiscal year,” he added.
The 10-lane ring road will have four central lanes, two service tracks on each side and one cycle-cum-walking lane on each side. The total right of way of the ring road will be 62 metres, according to the MoPPW.
Two major motor bridges will be built between Kalanki and Tinkune, apart from overhead bridges. “These will include pedestrian bridges and flyovers for vehicles at major intersections,” said Sitaula. “The construction will begin next fiscal year and is likely to be completed in another two years.” China will provide 350 million yuans to complete the nine km stretch of the ring road. China has also assured the Nepali government to assist in the development of remaining section of the ring road, claimed the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works officials.
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City and the MoPPW had permitted Innovative Concept Nepal, a private company, to construct three overhead bridges along the ring road at Kalanki, Balaju and Machhapokhari in the last fiscal year. The construction of the three-storey overhead bridges had begun but a few weeks ago the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee ordered dismantling of the bridges for the development of the ring road. The contractor should demolish the construction on its own expenses as per the agreement with the government made last year, according to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works.
The work to expand road from Maitighar to Tinkune (about 3 km) to six lanes is on. The process to clear the encroached land has been completed, said Sitaula.
Innovative Concept Nepal was also permitted to construct three-storey overhead bridge at Naya Baneshwor, along with the ring road overhead bridges. However, the construction of overhead bridge at Baneshwor is unlikely to happen, said the ministry officials.
10-lane stretch
• Nine km section of ring road between Kalanki and Tinkune to be expanded to 10 lanes
• Chinese govt to fund 350 million yuans
• Construction to begin next fiscal and will be completed by July 2014
Source: THT
