KATHMANDU, Jan 13: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Narayan Kaji Shrestha has pledged to take the initiative to repair the damaged roads in the Kathmandu Valley at the earliest.
Talking to the mediapersons on Friday after inspecting the damaged roads in the Valley, he directed the concerned bodies to expedite the process of laying water pipes, constructing drains and also directed them to manage the cables placed haphazardly all across the city.
DPM Shrestha pledges to restore flood-hit Kagbeni
During the inspection, he admitted that the road system in the Valley was not satisfactory and dusty roads have added to the problems faced by the general public. Digging roads for laying underground cables, and replacing old water pipes for the Melamchi Water Supply Project have made the matters worse, according to the minister.
The ministry should coordinate with the respective bodies including the Kathmandu Metropolitan City and the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority for the construction and repair works within the Valley, he said. "There is a plan to manage pedestrian trails and the city's beauty, and minimize city risks in coordination with all," added Shrestha.
Minister Shrestha said that the government held a meeting with the stakeholders on Wednesday and decided to remove structures built haphazardly on the streets within two weeks.
During the inspection, the minister was accompanied by secretary Gopal Sigdel, director general of the Department of Roads, Arjun Jung Thapa, and office bearers of the Nepal Electricity Authority, the Melamchi Water Supply Project and Nepal Telecom.
The team inspected roads in Lazimpat and Pani Pokhari in Kathmandu, and Nakkhu, Bhaisepati and Satdobato in Lalitpur.
