Road expansion transforms the look of Dhangadhi bazaar
Dhangadhi: The appearance of Dhangadhi Bazaar, the main commercial hub of the Far West Province, has undergone a significant transformation following the construction of four-lane roads equipped with sidewalks and medians. The development of wide and well-equipped road infrastructure in a city that had narrow and unorganized roads until a few years ago has not only eased movement but also enhanced urban aesthetics.
A four-lane road with sidewalks, drainage, medians and street lights has been constructed from Dhangadhi Crossroads to Campus Chowk in the main market area. Road expansion work from Kailali Bridge to Campus Chowk has now reached its final stage, while the section from the Crossroads to Kailali Nala had already been completed earlier.
The blacktopping of a 2.35-kilometer stretch from Kailali Bridge to Campus Chowk has been completed at a cost of Rs 538.283 million by the Sudurpaschim Province Government. KS Construction is currently engaged in road marking, painting, construction of zebra crossings, marking cycle lanes and completing footpaths at certain locations.
Deepak Negi, Head of the Infrastructure Development Office, Kailali, said that the project has achieved 97 percent physical progress. “The road expansion work is almost complete,” he said, adding that finishing works such as road marking are underway.
Built in line with modern urban infrastructure standards, the road has been blacktopped to a width of 19 meters on both sides. Of this, two and a half meters have been allocated for cycle lanes, according to Negi. A median separates the four lanes, while a 3.80-meter-wide footpath and a one-and-a-half-meter-wide drainage system have been constructed. Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City is working on installing street lights along this section.
The 1.38-kilometer four-lane road from Dhangadhi intersection to Kailali Bridge in the main market area was constructed under the Regional Urban Development Project run by the federal government with a loan from the Asian Development Bank. This section features smart street lights and greenery through tree plantation in the median. Both sections of the main market area have sidewalks with railings, and the sub-metropolitan city has arranged toilets and parking facilities at certain locations.
Long-time Dhangadhi businessman Maya Prakash Bhatta said the modern and wide road infrastructure has changed the face of the market. “Until a few years ago, it was narrow, unorganized and dusty,” he said. “Now the market looks organized.” He noted, however, that although bicycle lanes have been constructed, they are not being properly followed, and urged traffic police, local bodies and the administration to pay attention to enforcement.
A three-kilometer stretch east of Dhangadhi Campus Chowk, where the market is expanding, has been developed into a four-lane road under the Postal Highway. Locals say the road, equipped with drainage, medians, sidewalks and smart street lights, has added to the city’s beauty. Similarly, a six-lane road has been constructed at the intersection under the Dhangadhi–Mohanapul–Attariya corridor through the main market area.
A four-lane road with medians, smart street lights and sidewalks has also been constructed from Campus Chowk to Kailali Multiple Campus under the Regional Urban Development Project. The Shahida Gate–Campus Road, an alternative route to the main market, has been built under the same project. Under this initiative, a total of 10 kilometers of roads with modern urban infrastructure have been constructed within the city at a cost exceeding Rs 1.5 billion.
Under the initiative of Mayor Gopal Hamal, more than 428 structures were demolished during the road expansion from Kailali Bridge to Campus Chowk. Most locals voluntarily supported the sub-metropolitan city’s campaign to clear 30 meters of road by removing structures. However, as people’s representatives in the previous term did not take the initiative to clear the right of way, work in the Crossroads–Kailali Bridge section was completed within 24 meters despite a 30-meter jurisdiction, resulting in a slightly narrower blacktop compared to other sections.
Locals say road construction has also brought changes as several rural and market-connected roads in Dhangadhi have been blacktopped. “It is not perfect, but road infrastructure development here has made some progress,” said local resident Pradeep Chaudhary, adding that equal attention should be paid to quality and that rural roads connected to the main market should be prioritized.
Alongside the sub-metropolitan city, both provincial and federal governments have invested in road infrastructure. Dijraj Bhatta, Head of the Urban Development and Infrastructure Development Division of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, said efforts have been made to promote greenery along with urban beauty in the main market area. “We are also working to connect electricity to rural roads and plant trees along them,” he said.
Dineshkhabar Desk