By Kshitiz Siwakoti, Kathmandu, July 12: Kathmandu Metropolitan City has been working to repave roads in 14 places within Kathmandu city following this monsoon season. 

The Chief of Public Works Department within the KMC said the KMC has been laying gravel roads in 14 places within Kathmandu City. “The weather forecast has mentioned a few days of relative sunshine. If this continues for few more days we may even add asphalt to these roads but as of now, we are only focusing on finishing the work required prior to laying asphalt,” Thapa said.

Thapa further mentioned that the works of repaving the roads will be done at Balkhu, Tyanglaphat, Kirtipur, Kuleshwor (near Kuleshwor Awas school), Kalanki temple, Khadka Gaun, Milan Tole, Simaltar, Shrijanshil Tole (opposite Ganga Lal Hospital), Balaju and Banasthali. 

Chief Thapa has estimated that the cost of repaving these roads will cost around 300 million rupees. 

He also mentioned that the KMC has been repairing roads where potholes have been created due to the monsoon rains. “Sometimes it takes time to repair roads in Kathmandu because the materials required for the maintenance of the roads such as gravel come from places away from Kathmandu such as Bhakunde Besi and sometimes it takes time to reach Kathmandu,” Thapa added. 

The chief of Division Road Office Kuber Nepali under the Department of Roads said that all major roads within the Kathmandu valley that are under the Department of Roads has been well taken care of. “Our roads are in a good condition. We normally give out tenders for road maintenance and construction well before the monsoon season begins. We are prepared to deal with the monsoon rains.” Nepali said. 

Nepali also acknowledged that the roads under the Division Road Office are vulnerable to developing potholes under monsoon rains and especially in places where there are leaking drainage systems.