Nepali Times

After widening the roads in the city, the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority is now moving its bulldozers to the outskirts, tearing through historic neighbourhoods. Ancient townships in the southern fringes of the Valley like Sunakothi, Harisiddhi, Thaiba, Badegaon were seriously hit by the 2015 earthquake. Now they face a bigger threat from the road-widening campaign.

Alok tuladhar

GOING, GOING: Kathmandu's road-widneing spree has destroyed centuries-old heritage sites like Sorakhutte .

srizu bajracharya

‘Development’ is narrowly defined only to mean infrastructure, whereas holistic development includes the cultural landscape, traditional homes, squares and streets where ethnic festivals and rituals are held. The destruction not just flouts the Ancient Monuments Act, but the haphazard way ancient homes are being spray-painted in red signifying that they are condemned, is misguided and ill-advised.

But there is also support for wider roads. Says Surya Tamang of Chapagaun: “When there is development, there is always some destruction. Hopefully it will make our lives better.”

In Badegaon, Jog Bahadur Maharjan, shakes his head as the excavators move in in a cloud of dust. He says nearly 30 heritage sites will be affected when

I have always supported development, and we are trying to modernise our towns. The government will always win despite local opposition, although it may be delayed because of lawsuits.

Bhai Kaji Tiwari,

Chief, Kathmandu Valley Development Authority

the street that snakes through his town is widened. “We are not against the government here,” he tells us, “we just want to make sure that the government has thought this through. Where will we live afterwards? We want to develop our town, but not at expense of our cultural and ethnic histories.”

At Sunakothi, locals like Nanda Lal Maharjan, are skeptical that the road-widening will ever happen. “Well, we have been hearing about it for a long time, but I don’t even know if it’s happening,” he says.

Over at the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority, its chief Bhai Kaji Tiwari is aware of the worry about heritage destruction. “My hands are tied, but the government has assured us it will not destroy heritage sites.”

My plea to the public is to be aware of our heritage. We need to know and value it, and protect our history and prestige. Don’t ignore it just because you are not directly affected now. Nepal needs informed citizens.

Suman Sayami, lead activist of Upatyakabyapi Sadak Bistar Sangharsha Samiti

However, on the ground there is little transparency about the plans for road expansion, there is almost no local consultation. The people have a right to know what the government plans to do with their towns.

Development is not just roads, it is the inheritance of memories from our ancestors and future survival of the Kathmandu Valley civilisation.

Prabin maharjan

Badegoan is one of the most important ancient towns of Kathmandu Valley with ancient homes and religious monuments. Out of the four important Buddhas, the one here has been around for centuries. The place also has the Lachhi Dhunge Dhara built during the Licchavi period 1,200 years ago. The Mahankal Mandir is equally important to locals. It is estimated that 30 heritage sites will be affected when the road is extended in Badegoan.

Srizu Bajracharya

Sora Khutte used to be a resting place for travellers built 207 years ago. During the turmoil of its destruction, Alok Siddhi Tuladhar, a heritage conservationist, had asked the contractor to spare the sattal, but came the reply: “These 16 wooden pillars can be assembled again in some other place. Here it is just coming in the way for everyone.”

Prabin Maharjan

Chapagaun is a town older than Kathmandu itself. But after the earthquake old buildings are being replaced by concrete structures. There is local support for the road-widening because the narrow streets are in bad shape.

Padma Maharjan

Sunakothi, is another ancient Newar town waiting for the bulldozers to arrive. The days are numbered for its cultural and architectural sites. Locals are also worried about how road widening will affect their festivals.   

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