CHITWAN: The construction of the Metropolitan Ring Road in Bharatpur is nearing completion, with 90% of the work already finished.
Sponsored by Bharatpur Metropolitan City and co-funded by the federal and provincial governments, the project represents an investment of over Rs 1.50 billion.
The 88.6-kilometer-long Ring Road covers most parts of the metropolis, running along the Rapti and Narayani rivers, and skirting the buffer zone and community forests.
It connects with the East-West Highway, the Narayangadh-Muglin Road, the By-pass Road, and Prachanda Marg at various points.
Bharatpur Mayor Renu Dahal explained that the project was divided into several sections, involving the Bharatpur Metropolitan City, the federal government’s Division Road Office, the Urban and Building Construction Project, and the Province Infrastructure Office under the provincial government.
Mayor Dahal noted that although the road is slightly narrower in the buffer zone and forest areas of Chitwan National Park due to restrictions on tree cutting, it is seven meters wide and asphalted in other areas.
“This can be seen as a model project of federalism,” said Mayor Dahal, highlighting that the collaboration among multiple agencies was necessary for the project’s success.
She also emphasized that the road, the longest ring road in the country, will promote tourism, boost economic activities, and improve the living standards of local residents.
Sakar Lama, an engineer with the metropolitan city, mentioned that bids have been called for the remaining 4.1 kilometers of blacktopping, with a budget of Rs 100 million provided by the federal government.
Once this final section is completed, the entire ring road will be fully blacktopped.
Lama added that the ring road is vital for connecting rural areas with the main town of Bharatpur, and its proximity to major hotels in West Chitwan is expected to have a positive impact on the tourism sector.
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