Infrastructure

Stakeholders have stressed the need to restore the Pokhara-Sunauli Siddhartha Highway, which has been in a state of disrepair for years.

This issue was discussed at public hearings across the Syangja area at the initiative of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport's Ministry of Roads, Development Cooperation Implementation Division.

Various groups have advocated for the improvement of the 157-km stretch of the highway between Butwal and Pokhara.

Yubaraj Satyal, a representative of the Department of Roads, said that proposals from various stakeholders and beneficiaries were gathered at public hearings in Galyang, Waling, Bhirkot, and Putalibazaar. Feedbacks have already been collected from people in other locations between Butwal and Pokhara, he said.

"The Siddhartha Highway was getting narrower and dilapidated. There is no way to improve the road," Waling Municipality Mayor Krishna Khand said.

The section of road between the Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa and the Pokhara International Airport is in urgent need of upgradation.

Pitambar Shrestha, chairperson of a struggle committee for the protection of dwellings adjacent to the highway, said the road would be of little use if it was not upgraded soon.

"The number of people taking different routes is going up, so the highway needs to be improved," he said, expressing disappointment at the delay in upgrading the highway that has been in operation for 52 years.

- RSS