The hottest issue for residents of Kathmandu nowadays is the road
widening project of the governnent because of the protests launched by
the people. At the same time, it has been a matter of distress for
homeowners who are seeing their home sweet homes being destroyed by the
government juggernaut.
According to the Nepal Road Standard 1989, most of the roads inside the
Kathmandu Valley have been categorised as city roads whose maximum
designed speed is 60 km per hour, and the width is 3.5 m and 7m for
single and double lanes respectively. With the increase in the number of
motor vehicles and daily traffic jams, it has been a must to widen the
roads as per the standards.
But, their stands a huge BUT with the process of widening. Under the
current crucial situation of no gas, no electricity, no water supply and
no fuel, it is necessary to give high priority to the widening the
roads? A common man will probably say NO. The country is at its worth
and blackest years with the ups and downs in poltics, scarcity of almost
everything, higest inflation rate and unfinished new constitution work.
The highest priority of the government should be in these sectors rather
than destroying houses.
When the widening was started in the Lazimpat area, there were hundreds
of demonstrators protesting to save their homes, and posters saying
"Stop white terrorism by the government" could be seen here and there.
Yes, according to the law of 1977, house builders have to leave a space
of 11 m from the centre line of the road. The government has been silent
and no action was taken when multi-storeyed buildings were being built,
and now it is destroying these houses without paying any compensation.
There are so many houses on the Lazimpat – Pani Pokhari – Maharajgunj
road which have been build on three-four annas of land. And the people
who live in them have to see their homes being destroyed in front of
their eyes. They are not merely houses but they are homes where people
are living.
If the government says that it has been destroying illegally built
houses for which it does not have to pay compesation, what should be
noted is that it should at least pay compensation for the land. If not
compensation then where’s the alternative way by which the people whose
homes are being destroyed can be shifted? If this is a democratic
country, the right to property of the people must be secured.
The government collects revenue from the people in every possible way.
But when the people demand compensation, it always has many reasons for
not paying compensation. Lastly, why have the people elacted
representatives to the Constituent Assembly? So that they can earn for
themselves, or so that they can help people in a matter like this? That
was really a good question arised by Shishir Bhandary. Please comment
and let us know about the Ways of Kathmandu.
