The ring road that is being built in Birendranagar Surkhet, the capital of Karnali state, has been lying idle for the past 17 years. Residents of Birendranagar city say, ‘The city bus is running, but due to the lack of proper management of the ring road, the service facility is not reaching the required service. From Latikoili, Dharapani to exit the highway one has to pay 60 rupees. It doesn’t matter if the city bus comes to us.
Birendranagar Ring Road was conceived 17 years ago. A ring road was envisaged under the name of ‘Birendranagar Chakrapath’. But till today, no action has been taken. The construction of the road started in 2062 with the aim of connecting the Birendranagar valley with a single road. From the east, the construction has started from Subbakun to Ghusra, Latikoili to Bangesimal and Pradesh Hospital to Chisapani, Itram, Newari, Gagretal to Duliabit.
The ring road is about 23 kilometers long, of which 20 kilometers have been completed, but no drains have been made in any place, and most of the places have not been paved, and the road has not been finished in any area. The body is wax. Due to the electricity poles falling on private houses, forests and roads, the work has not been completed in many areas.
Due to disputes over forest areas and private houses on the way of the ring road, the work is not progressing. According to the locals, we give land for the road, but the government has to give compensation accordingly. Even in Birendranagar 1, 2, 8, 11, 12 wards, the dispute of private real estate in the construction area has not been resolved.
Locals have been obstructing the construction of the project for a long time, demanding proper compensation. Birendranagar 11 Yuvraj Lamichhane says, ‘If there is to be development of the people, the right movement must be done in the right way. We give land but if we dig the road and leave it unmanaged in the name of development, it is us who will be the problem. He said that the government should compensate the encroachment of the private land of the locals.
Also, if this road can be properly managed, the pressure of congestion can be removed, the street corner can be helped to earn profit, city bus can be managed properly. Until now, no decision has been made as to when the Birendranagar ring road will be built and when it will be completed.
