Apr 26, Kathmandu - The office overseeing the Galchhi-Rasuwagadhi Gateway Road project has commenced removing structures encroaching within the designated access routes of the ongoing road expansion. Following a notice issued for the removal of physical structures, including houses within 15 meters on either side of the road, construction equipment such as a dozer, was deployed starting Saturday (Baisakh 12).

According to Krishna Raj Ojha, the chief of the Galchi-Trishuli-Mailung-Syabrubesi Rasuwagadhi Road Project Office, although there was an agreement to remove structures within the road access area after receiving compensation, some encroachers have failed to comply. The structures targeted for removal include 86 private houses as well as a dozen government offices and organizations.

With the support of Bidhur Municipality, the office also began demolishing encroached structures in the district’s main market areas, including Dunge, Bidhur, and Battar, starting Saturday. The goal is to complete removal of encroachments within three days.

Ojha stated, “The expansion work of the road has been halted due to unresolved encroachments within the access zone. We plan to clear the site in the coming days and instruct contractors to resume construction work.”

This road, connecting Galchi in Dhading to Bidhur in Nuwakot and then to the Rasuwagadhi border crossing with China, has been prioritized as a nationally significant project. Delays in removing encroachments in Nuwakot’s market area have left the project incomplete for up to 10 years.

In 2072 BS, the Cabinet decided to advance the project as a trilateral highway connecting China, Nepal, and India. The government aims to develop it as the shortest international highway route.