KMC resumes footpath expansion, locals protest

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, July 19: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has resumed the work of expanding the pavement from the New Road gate to the Statue of Juddha Shamsher located at the Kathmandu Metropolitan City-22.

According to the Spokesperson of the KMC Nabin Manandhar, following the issue of an interim order from the Patan High Court allowing the footpath expansion to proceed, stating that urban roads fall under local authority jurisdiction, the KMC resumed its expansion work from Wednesday leaving three feet for pavement on each side of road. 

The locals demonstrated in the New Road area from the wee hours of Friday saying the widening of the road is not allowed. The Police Administration has moved forward with the security alert after the locals demonstrated on the road neglecting the issue of the interim order of the court. 

"A joint bench of Patan High Court judges Dhrubaraj Nanda and Prakash Kharel directed the Road Division Office not to enforce its letter on the KMC to stop the footpath expansion. Subsequently, the roadwork is now progressing in full swing," said Spokesperson Manandhar.