Dhalkebar Chowk road encroachment cleared

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT,Dhalkebar, Apr. 26: A road in Dhalkebar Chowk of Mithila Municipality-6, Dhanusha, which had been encroached upon for nearly 53 years, has finally been cleared.

The Mithila Municipality demolished permanent buildings, temporary shelters, and shops constructed in the area on Saturday after issuing prior notice. According to the municipality, around 25 to 30 individuals had been living and operating businesses on the encroached land for a long time. With the removal of these structures, the road will now be reopened.

Locals said the road was originally used during the construction of the East-West Highway in 1969. However, after a new road was opened further south around 1973, traffic along the old route ceased. Over time, some residents began building houses and running businesses on the abandoned road.

Although local authorities had made repeated attempts in previous years to clear the encroachment, they were unsuccessful. Mayor Mahendra Mahato said that public notices had been issued three times over the past three years, but implementation was delayed due to legal disputes and other obstacles.

He added that the municipality took action following strict directives from the federal and provincial governments to remove encroachments on public roads and land. “The old road area has been cleared in accordance with government instructions,” Mayor Mahato said, adding that efforts will now focus on maintaining road standards and ensuring smoother transportation.