Govt to build ring road in Pokhara

POKHARA, DEC 29 -

The government has taken measures to construct a ring road in Pokhara , which is expected to connect rural areas to the core city and reduce traffic congestion.

After completing feasibility study, the Department of Roads (DoR) has been conducting a detailed study by hiring a consultant.

Kaski District Development Committee (DDC) had first put forward the idea of constructing a ring road in the lake city in 2005-06. But the DDC was finding it hard to generate resources itself and was looking for donors.

The government’s initiative to develop the project has cheered the locals, who are demanding that the ring road be constructed at any cost.

The DoR has appointed Card and Silt JV to conduct detailed designing and engineering of the project. Card and Silt Director Deepak Chhetri said the overall job will be completed in the next eight months. “We are now conducting detailed engineering survey after completing the detailed study,” said Chhetri. “Study on social side is also underway.” Three engineers and a surveyor have been deployed for the field work. The proposed ring road passes through Aamala Bisauni, Lamachaur Chowk, Mahendra cave, Bhalam, Manipal hospital, Fulbari, Patan Besi to Lapsi Dada, Baral Dada and Budi Bazaar.

The road also touches Kharaney Faat, Sisuwa, Nahar Chowk, Saatmuhane, Rajako Chautaro, Tallo Gagan Gauda, Lamdage, Bharat Pokhari, Nirmal Pokhari, Dobilla, Birauta Chowk, Ratnachowk Tudikhel, Hemja Milan Chowk to Purunchaur before ending at Lamachaur.

According to engineer Sunil Khaitu, the length of the ring road will be 81 km. A team of engineers, of which Khaitu is also a part, is working on preparing a detailed report on houses and land plots, cannels and drinking water facilities along the proposed road, which will be 7 m wide and will have a footpath and drainage.

Prabhat Kumar Jha, head of DoR’s Road Division Office, said the construction could be completed in the next five-six years if the government sanctions enough budget. The ring road, after completion, will directly connect the local market with rural areas surrounding Pokhara .

Sanjeev Bahadur Koirala, president of Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the local business community had long been demanding a ring road. “There is a need for such a road as traffic congestion has been increasing due to increasing market, population and vehicles,” he said.

Source: The Kathmandu Post