Hetauda-Kathmandu shorter route closed

By Anil Parajuli, Hetauda, May 30: The Hetauda–Kulekhani–Phakhel–Pharping road section, a shorter alternative route connecting Hetauda to the federal capital, Kathmandu, has been closed to vehicular movement for one month. 

The road section, which provides a shorter route to Kathmandu, has been completely shut to traffic since Friday, May 29. 

The road has been closed following a request from the Infrastructure Development Office, Hetauda, under the Bagmati provincial government, to the District Administration Office, Makwanpur, to facilitate construction work.

According to Sujan Bhandari, chief of the Infrastructure Development Office, Makwanpur, the road was closed as the construction of a concrete bridge over the Mahalaxmi River at Indrasarowar Rural Municipality–2 is underway, while road concreting work on the same section is set to begin from Friday. 

He said the road closure was necessary due to pressure to complete the project by mid-July this year, and as heavy traffic on the route could disrupt construction work and cause inconvenience to travellers due to congestion.

Passengers and vehicle owners have been requested to use the Hebi–Sisneri–Dakshinkali–Pharping road section as an alternative route.

According to Bachhuram Phuyal, Police Inspector at the District Traffic Police Office, Makwanpur, around 1,300 vehicles travel daily via the shorter alternative Hetauda–Kathmandu route.