KATHMANDU: A protest has erupted against Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah’s decision to widen the sidewalks by cutting the road in the New Road area.

On Saturday, the plan was initiated to cut 1.4 to 2.4 meters from both sides of the road from Juddha Statue to Indrachowk to expand the footpaths.

After the three-lane road was cut without technical inspection, the Department of Roads, Kathmandu seized the bulldozers and machinery used for the work.

In response, under the direction of Mayor Shah, dust was scattered at DoR office, expressing displeasure at their intervention.

However, on Monday, residents of New Road protested against what they deemed an inappropriate step by Mayor Shah.

They formed a human chain from the New Road gate inwards and protested against the metropolitan city with black banners.

The symbolic protest against the metropolitan city’s plan to narrow the New Road also mildly disrupted transportation.