Following this development, repair of the Miteri Bridge and expansion of the 6.5 km Dumithama section along the highway is likely to gather pace. The locals agreed to allow 11 meter expansion on either side of the highway following an all-party meeting at District Administration Office (DAO).
The locals have also agreed to demolish all the physical infrastructures along the road section on their own, said Chief District Officer of Sindhupalchowk Dili Raj Pokharel. [break]
“From Monday, the road division will start mapping the road section, while the locals have said they would demolish structures along the to-be-expanded sections within the next three months,” said Pokharel.
According to Pokharel, while nine meters on either side would be blacktopped, the remaining two meters would be left for building pavement. Though the road expansion works for construction of a dry port in Tatopani kicked off some eight months ago, the project had hit a snag after locals refused to demolish structures along the Miteri Bridge and Dumithama section of the highway.
The Chinese government has been constructing a dry port on the Nepal-Tibet border at the cost of Rs 200 million from January. Along with construction of the dry port construction, the Chinese government has also agreed to upgrade the Araniko highway and build a bridge over the Bhote Koshi River.
Pokharel said the Tatopani Customs Office, Immigration Office, and Quarantine Office, among others, would also be demolished for the road expansion.
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