March 13: The Government of Nepal has decided to build a six-meter track on each side of the Ring Road and footpaths with its own investment. In the second phase of Ring Road expansion.

The authorities concerned are upgrading the Kalanki-Maharajgunj-Dhobikhola section of Ring Road into eight lanes with the assistance of the Chinese government.

The estimated cost of constructing the outer tracks and footpaths is said to be Rs 1.15 billion. The Ring Road Expansion Project has submitted an investment proposal of Rs 1.15 billion to the Ministry of Finance, according to project chief Amrit Mani Rimal.

With the addition of these two outer tracks, the Ring Road in this section will be of 10 lanes, informed Rimal. This section from Makalu Petrol Pump to Gopi Krishna Moves of Chabahil is 11.6 kilometers long.

It has been learnt that the drainage system  and other pipes will be laid underneath the outer tracks of Ring Road.

Although the project officials are planning to complete the expansion within three years, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is yet to be prepared due to the coronavirus outbreak in China. The project officials will have to inform the Chinese officials after site clearance. Then the Chinese delegation will visit Nepal to finalize the DPR.

Rimal said that they intended to start the expansion work after a month but the delay in arrival of the Chinese officials is likely to push back the project.

Cutting down of trees and shifting electricity poles have been almost complete.

The road section is being upgraded under the second phase of Ring Road Development Project with the support from the Chinese government.

The government has already upgraded Koteshwar-Kalanki section of Ring Road with the support from the Chinese government in the first phase.

China’s Shanghai Construction Group had bagged the contract to expand the road section. The same construction company will complete upgrading the remaining parts of the Ring Road.

Altogether 2100 trees were cut down to widen the road.

As per the plan, the road will be 62 metres wide.

The Ring Road Development Project has prepared a list of 50 houses that are entitled for compensation as the structures need to be dismantled, said project chief Amrit Mani Rimal.

The total cost of site clearance is estimated to be around Rs 3 billion including Rs 1.5 billion for compensation.

The Department of Roads is not clear on whether to expand the road from Chabahil to Gaushala as the road section has lots of houses. Expanding the road would also endanger some ancient structures that fall in the World Heritage Site.