KATHMANDU: Buddhist cultural heritage site lovers have objected to the government’s Ring Road expansion project, saying the project aimed to demolish cultural heritage sites in the Swayambhunath area.
Citing that various forces have been working against the religious and cultural sites by demolishing them in the name of developmental activities in Nepal, the Buddhist people of Swayambhu area objected to the demolition of various structures of Swayambhu area enlisted in the World Heritage Site List.
They claimed that the Chinese Construction companies, CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist Center and the then KP Oli-led government had been cunningly working to demolish the cultural sites of the capital one after the other.
The construction of the Ring Road connecting the Kalanki-Koteshwar section has been completed under the road expansion project. A roundabout is being constructed from Kalanki to Maharajgunj connecting Sitapaila Chowk, Swayambhunath, Balaju and Chabahil (Buddhist site).
A large portion of the Buddhist heritage site and forest around Swayambhunath falls under the purview of the Ring Road expansion project.
Similarly, another group of people under the Valley-wide Road Expansion Victim Struggle Committee has also objected to the road expansion that demolishes 39 houses along the right of way in Balaju Bypass area.
The Committee has demanded the rehabilitation of the displaced people and also urged the government to adhere to the Supreme Court’s stay order.
Earlier, the apex court had asked the authority to halt its road expansion project in the area until the final verdict comes.
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