NATIONAL 2 (Spotlight Weekly)]

Slow Start

Despite being the shortest route to Hetauda, the Kanti Rajpath is yet to get the priority it deserves

By SANJAYA DHAKAL

Last year when the landslide at Krishnabhir in the Kathmandu-Mugling section of Prithvi Highway cut off the capital's access to the rest of the country for 10 days, there was a heated public debate about the urgent need for an alternative route to link the capital valley. The idea to develop the Kanti Rajpath was once gain mooted then.

A Jam at Prithvi Highway : Recurring scene

But as soon as the monsoon rain subsided and mudslides stopped, the debate, too, ceased. This year, too, there are already clear signs that more landslides could be in the offing. Even before the onset of the monsoon, the landslide in the same Krishnabhir area obstructed the highway traffic for more than 12 hours -- just three weeks ago.

It has been many years since Kanti Rajpath was first recognized as a viable alternate route. But interestingly people get to hear about the importance of this route only during wet season -- only to be washed away with the final drops of monsoon.

The need for an alternative route to link the capital valley can not be exaggerated. Though the Tribhuvan Rajpath, which is also known as upper highway, helped the highway travelers during last year's jam, it is considered unreliable and lengthy. Another alternative highway Dhulikhel-Bardibas is under construction and will be ready after five or six years. This highway, however, links the eastern parts of the country.

Kanti Rajpath is one of the oldest recognized alternate route to link the valley with Hetauda, the commercial hub of the inner Terai in the central region. Hetauda is strategically located and provides outlet to both the eastern as well as western cities, not to mention the Indian border points.

The major attraction of Kanti Rajpath lies in its length. It is the shortest route between Kathmandu and Hetauda. Starting from Tikabhairab, a dusty Lalitpur village lying at the banks of Nakkhu river six kilometers south of the valley, the Rajpath takes only 86 kilometer to reach Hetauda. If you go by Prithvi Highway, Hetauda is around 220 km from Kathmandu.

Although the preliminary construction of the Tikabhairab-Hetauda road was started as early as in mid-50s by the Nepalese army, the route still remains rough and incomplete. At present a narrow and rough road, links Tikabhairab with Chhaveli and Kalche, some 25 kilometers away. Some light vehicles and mini-trucks carrying dairy products from nearby villages in Chhaveli and Bhattedanda ply in the route regularly except during monsoon.

A bridge in the Bagmati river is awaiting construction near Jyamire village, which could link Lalitpur with Makwanpur district.

"The Kanti Rajpath is not only important for Lalitpur district but also for the whole country. If opened, this highway can provide commuters with a two-hour drive to Hetauda," said Madhav Poudel, president of Lalitpur District Development Committee (DDC). "This route can provide the shortest link between Kathmandu and Raxaul." Raxaul, a major Indian border point near Birgunj, is the most-used route for transporting goods to and from Calcutta port in India.

Poudel says, in the face of growing problems of landslides and increased traffic, the country is in dire need for a short alternative. "Kanti Rajpath provides just that," he said.

Understanding the significance of the Kanti Rajpath, the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) -- a Korean government body -- has been showing interest in financing the project.

"KOICA has already completed feasibility study in 1998. And now we are planning to do a detail design for main construction," said Sang Chul Kim, Attache at the KOICA Nepal Office.

The detail design of the highway is said to take around three years to complete. "We will be starting the detail design hopefully by the beginning of the next year," said Kim Jin-Sik, Counsellor and Consul at the Embassy of Republic of Korea, Kathmandu. The detail design of the road could cost around US$1.3 million while the main construction could cost around $17 million and take four years to complete, according to KOICA Nepal Office.

The South Korean government is prepared to provide grant assistance for the detail design and a long-term soft loan for the main construction under the Economic Development and Cooperation Fund. "Korean companies including the construction firms have been working in Nepal for the last 30 years. Definitely, they would want to participate in the construction of the highway," said Kim Jin-Sik.

The delay in the project taking off is said to be due to the lackadaisical approach of the government. It has been learnt that the Nepalese government only recently requested the Korean government for the detail design.

"It is unfortunate that the government has no systematic development priority. The authorities do not pay heed to the requests of elected representatives while formulating development plans and distributing national budget. Kanti Rajpath is merely an example," rued Poudel.

At present the Lalitpur DDC is mobilizing its own resources to develop the road. "But our resources are not enough," said Poudel.

Just last year, the government constructed a crucial bridge over Nakkhu river in Tikabhairab. The bridge cost about Rs 12.5 million, according to Kiran Joshi, chief of the Lalitpur district road office.

As the government has not earmarked funds for the development of the highway, the Department of Roads has been involved in limited maintenance work.

"As far as the road department is concerned, apart from building the Tikabhairab bridge, we are only involved in few patch-up efforts in the Kanti Rajpath," said Suresh Kumar Regmi, deputy general manager at the Department of Roads.

A Passenger bus : Heavy load

Road officials also believe that there is a need for a shorter alternative to the existing highway. Not only the road officials but also the DDC officials believe that the Nepalese government should expedite the construction of the road by making use of the assistance promised by the Korean government.

Apart from providing a crucial short alternative, Kanti Rajpath could herald a new era of development in the poverty-crushed southern parts of Lalitpur district. "The road can usher in revolutionary changes in the livelihood of people living in nearby villages of Lalitpur and Makwanpur," said Poudel.

Being a shorter course, the highway could help bring down the consumption of fuel for vehicles, increase the age of vehicles by trimming down the wear and tear, lessen the traffic load on Prithvi Highway, save transportation cost, cut down export cost and expand industries and trade in the area.

As the highway commuters have to travel anxiously during the monsoon thanks to the fear of landslides and traffic obstruction, the authorities would do good by introducing alternative routes as soon as possible.

Chronology Of Kanti Rajpath Development

* The first works of Tikabhairab-Hetauda road starts in 1954.

* Nepal army is given the responsibility of the construction in 1957.

* A section of the rough road completed in 1959.

* The road named Kanti Rajpath in 1962.

* An Italian consulting firm undertakes a study of Kathmandu-Hetauda road in 1971.

* Works and Transport Ministry urges private parties for Build, Operate and Transfer in 1988.

* Japanese International Engineering Consultant Association does another study in 1991.

* Swiss consultants study the road project in 1992.

* Finnida, too, studies in 1993.

* Lalitpur District Development Committee (DDC) conducts a survey in 2050 BS (1993/94)

* A task force headed by Dr. Santa Bir Tuladhar studies the section of the road up to Bagmati river in 2051 BS (1994/95).

* Two separate committees are formed by Lalitpur municipality and Lalitpur DDC to look into the construction of the road in 2052 (1995/96).

* Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) undertakes the feasibility study in 1997.

* The government finally recognizes the road as alternative highway in 2056 (1998/99).

Source : Lalitpur DDC/Madhav P. Poudel