KATHMANDU: Minister of Forests and Environment Prem Ale has instructed Chitwan National Park’s (CNP) Chief Conservation Officer Ananath Baral not to create hurdles in the construction of Birgunj-Thori Postal Highway.

The national park obstructed the road construction citing the lack of environment impact assessment (EIA) report of the road project. Construction of about 5-km stretch of the road has yet to complete.

According to a source, Minister Ale told Baral that construction work should not be halted and meanwhile process to initiate EIA would be started, and both work would move simultaneously. However, Baral was of the view that work could be started following the preparation of EIA report.

Lawmaker Laxman Lal Karn along with a team met Forest Minister Ale to lobby for road completion Thursday. The team also met Director of Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation in this regard.