HIMA BK

KATHMANDU: The Government of Nepal had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in February 2018 with China for the expansion of the Kalanki-Maharajganj-Dhobikhola section of the Ring Road under the second phase of the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project. According to the agreement, the road section was supposed to be extended within two years. However, six years later, work on expanding the 11.6 km section of the ring road has not even begun. Meanwhile, the Chinese government has completed and handed over the remaining sections.

Initially, the road expansion was stalled due to obstructions in the Kalanki-Maharajganj-Dhobikhola area. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic further delayed the process. Even though the situation has normalized, the Chinese side has yet to submit the design and detailed project report (DPR) for the expansion of this section to the Government of Nepal.

Due to the prolonged delay, the local government (Kathmandu Metropolitan City) and Members of Parliament (MPs) have started to pressure the government. On May 25, Kathmandu Metropolitan City dumped dust in front of the Department of Roads and the Road Division Office in Kathmandu to protest the delay. The KMC argued that the unfinished road has become extremely dusty, and the dust pollution has severely affected public health.

On June 12, Nepali Congress MP Pradeep Paudel, along with the support of 10 other MPs, registered a resolution proposal in Parliament for the expansion of the ring road. The proposal emphasized the urgent need to proceed with the construction to minimize the long-term health impacts on the citizens and reduce risks during the rainy season.

Following these incidents, the government sent a letter to the Chinese Embassy in Nepal regarding the expansion of the second section of the ring road. Ramhari Pokharel, Director General of the Department of Roads, informed that the Ministry of Finance had written to the Chinese Embassy, incorporating comments from the Finance Secretary to move forward with the Kalanki-Dhobikhola section expansion.

According to Pokharel, both sides are currently revising the draft of the construction-related documents for the implementation of the agreement. The Chinese side was expected to design and create the DPR for the second section from Kalanki to Chabhil, Dhobikhola. However, they have yet to submit the final design and DPR to the government. Government officials have submitted recommendations on the design to the Chinese Embassy, but the DPR is still pending. Pokharel noted that work on the expansion could only begin after China responds with its opinion on the matter.

Despite the memorandum of understanding, the two sides are yet to sign the project implementation agreement' for the extension of this section. Government officials state that work will only start once such an agreement is reached. The Department of Roads has mentioned that most construction obstacles, such as trees and electric poles, have been removed in this section, but some houses near Narayan Gopal Chowk in Maharajganj still need to be cleared.

In the meantime, the department has contracted to build a service lane from Kalanki to Basundhara, keeping the main road built by China intact. Ram Bihari Chowdhury, information officer of the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project, informed that the 3-kilometer service lane has already been completed. However, a house in Narayan Gopal Chowk, which is within the 'right of way,' has not been removed yet. The main road in this section will be expanded to eight lanes, with the rest being ten lanes by adding two lanes to the right and left. Work has started on the service lane.

Former Secretary Arjun Jung Thapa remarked that donor agencies and grant providers often proceed at their convenience. "If we had to build it ourselves, we don't have the resources," said Thapa. He noted that China is committed to providing the grant for the project. Thapa added that Nepal should diplomatically request the Chinese government to speed up the construction.