Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Narayan Kaji Shrestha said repair of the damaged roads in the Kathmandu Valley would take place at the earliest. Talking to media today after inspecting damaged roads in the Valley, he called for laying water pipes, constructing drains and managing dangling cables.

During the inspection, he admitted that road system in the Valley was not satisfactory and dusty roads have added to the problem facing general people. Digging roads to underground cables, and replacing old water pipes for the Melamchi project have made the matter worse, according to his assessment.

The Ministry should coordinate with the respective bodies including the Kathmandu Metropolitan City and the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority for the construction and repair work within the Valley, he said. “There is a plan to manage pedestrian trails and city’s beauty, and minimise city risks in coordination with all.”

A meeting with the stakeholders was held on Wednesday, and haphazardly built structures on the streets would be removed within two weeks, said the minister. On the occasion, the minister was accompanied by the ministry secretary Gopal Sigdel, director general of the Department of Roads, Arjun Jung Thapa, and office bearers of the Nepal Electricity Authority, the Melamchi Khanepani Project and the Nepal Telecom. The team inspected Lajimpat and Pani Pokhari in Kathmandu, and Nakkhu, Bhaisepati and Satdobato in Lalitpur.