Hetauda Mayor, Business Association Urge Federal Government to Resolve Road Expansion Dispute

Hetauda. The Hetauda market area is currently in disarray due to the road expansion dispute. Business activities are continuing in the demolished houses and structures, increasing the risk, and the scrap materials from the demolished houses have not yet been removed.

One court ruling after another from the Supreme Court has created further uncertainty regarding road expansion. While the Supreme Court dismissed 343 cases of a similar nature filed against road expansion until 2080 BS, the recent stay orders issued in some cases have affected the expansion work itself.

Amidst this situation, on Sunday, Hetauda Metropolitan City Mayor Meena Kumari Lama expressed her grievances about road expansion in front of Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle in Hetauda. She stated that the long-pending issue of road expansion has instilled fear among the city dwellers. Mayor Lama demanded a swift resolution to the road expansion dispute from the federal government.

Addressing the program organized for the inauguration of Nepal Bank Limited's Bagmati Provincial Office, Mayor Lama informed Minister Wagle that the dispute over 25-meter and 31-meter road expansion has halted Hetauda's overall development and left businesspeople in uncertainty.

Mayor Lama complained that the local government is unable to carry out improvement works as desired because the road expansion issue is stuck in court. She stated that the state should pay attention to providing proper compensation and management for the homeowners and businesspeople who will be displaced due to road expansion. She mentioned that it is becoming difficult for her to stand before the public in her capacity as the mayor.

'For 50 years, we have been living in fear and uncertainty,' she said, 'Even though incidents like stones falling from demolished buildings injure people, we have not found a solution. When asked what Hetauda is, I have no answer. I can neither smile in front of the citizens when I come to the market nor look them in the eye with my head held high.'

She argued that the development of Hetauda, the capital of Bagmati Province, as an attractive center after Kathmandu is impossible without resolving the physical infrastructure issues. She stated that the demolished houses and the uncertain environment are affecting the economy and the happiness of the citizens. She added that development and happiness cannot be achieved from broken windows and houses. She urged for a swift resolution to the problem to take Hetauda to a new phase of development and enhance the dignity of the provincial capital, as the situation of shining banks nearby and demolished shops in front does not bring happiness to either service recipients or businesspeople.

'Neither able to do business nor build houses: Chairman Ranabhat'

Makwanpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Pramod Singh Ranabhat demanded that the federal government immediately resolve the legal uncertainty surrounding the main road expansion in Hetauda. Chairman Ranabhat drew the attention of Finance Minister Wagle, stating that the road expansion issue has caused hardship to the private sector and the general public.

He stated that the issue of Hetauda's 25-meter road expansion has been in a 'pending' status in the Supreme Court for a long time, halting both development and business. Chairman Ranabhat said that the need to wait for court dates and the repeated postponements of hearings have negatively impacted Hetauda's economic activities.

'The condition of the road is extremely chaotic. This problem has been raised for a very long time,' he said, 'Because the case is stuck in court, businesspeople have not been able to find a clear solution. The lack of a clear decision on whether it will happen or not has increased the uncertainty. Due to this uncertainty, neither the private sector can expand its business with confidence, nor can homeowners repair or rebuild their houses.'

He demanded that the federal government and the Finance Minister play a role and take initiative for a legal and practical solution. He also stated that resolving the road issue is essential for organizing Hetauda as a provincial capital and that the private sector is ready to cooperate with the government for this task.

'Not much to say, the government is taking initiative: Minister Wagle'

After drawing the attention of Mayor Lama and the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Minister Dr. Wagle, in his address, stated that it would not be appropriate to say much as the road expansion issue in the Hetauda market area is sub judice in court. He said that the government is serious about the problems of the citizens and will take initiative in this matter as well.

During his address, Dr. Wagle stated that the government would take appropriate action and initiative regarding the road expansion and physical infrastructure problems in Hetauda's main market area. He mentioned that due to the road expansion issue being currently sub judice in court, he cannot speak much. He also stated that the government is making efforts to find a solution to the road expansion issue.