A dream to see ‘Chandraveer Marg’ blacktopped

Tulsipur, July 26: Chandraveer, who is hitting 80 years soon, has a dream of blacktopping the road he dug for four years. At 71, Chandraveer of Satatale, in Ward No. 3, Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City, started digging three-km road from Tulsipur in Salyan to Khamari in Satatale under Rapti Highway with traditional weapons like shovels and hammer.

At first, nobody in his village believed that he would go this far all alone.  

Chandraveer embarked on the arduous journey despite crippling conditions at home. In his family of 13, nine are blind. His wife, three sons, three daughters-in-law, and two grandsons are visually impaired. He is the only bread winner.  

After the road was opened, the compulsion for the villagers to walk seven kilometres has reduced to only three.   

Ambulances, autos, and motorcycles can pass through the road now. The local government, which has provided no budget for the road, has named the road “Chandraveer Marg”. 

Chandraveer these days is worried about how to keep landslides from hitting the road. 

He wants to see the road blacktopped before he dies. 

He said, "The only dream I have is to see the road blacktopped, to see students making their way to school walking down the road even in the rainy season."

In addition to the road, Chandraveer has dug the road leading to Chamere Cave, a tourist spot, via Khamari. 

Appreciating the exemplary work accomplished by Chandraveer, Mayor Tikaram Khadka said that everyone in the municipality should shoulder the responsibility of taking care of the road. 

Mayor Khadka said, "What happened in the past is a different thing, now we will help Chandraveer with Hume pipe and fencing materials to keep the landslide from impacting Chandraveer Marg.”

He added that since this year's budget has already been allocated, Chandraveer Marg will be featured in the budget for blacktop next year. He insisted that since the municipality is responsible for providing for the Chandraveer's family, they should get the needed support.