Hetauda locals affected by road expansion demand compensation

BY RAM MANI DAHAL,Hetauda, July 31: Locals have demanded that the expansion of roads in Hetauda Sub-metropolitan City under Mahendra Highway should be carried out only after providing compensation to the affected house and land owners. 

Such demand was made during a gathering organised by the Makwanpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and the Stakeholder’s Committee for Housing Protection in Hetauda on Saturday.

Ekalal Shrestha, a Bagmati Province Assembly member, said that development should not occur at the expense of the locals' property. He insisted that the road expansion should only proceed after a thorough evaluation of the property and proper compensation to the landowners for any damages caused.

Laxmi Shrestha, another  Provincial Assembly member, pointed out that without fair compensation; many locals would be left homeless, potentially becoming squatters. Shrestha asserted that road expansion without adequate planning and compensation would not be acceptable.

Krishna Kumar Gupta, MCCI president, accused the road office of creating civil unrest under the pretext of the latest road expansion. He said that they would not obstruct the road expansion if the landowners were appropriately compensated.

Similarly, former MCCI president Uttam Sharma Dhakal, businessmen Ramhari Timilsina, Bijay Kumar Shrestha, affected Ramhari Neupane and others demanded that the road expansion should proceed only after a detailed assessment of property damages and after ensuring proper management of the affected businesses.

On June 25, the Road Division Office, Hetauda, issued a 35-day notice to demolish houses, huts and other structures built within 25-25 yards on either sides of the road from Ratomate to Rapti Bridge located in Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City-15.