September 24: The Investment Board has shortlisted a Chinese company to construct the outer ring road. The 40th board meeting of the Investment Board chaired by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Monday (September 23) selected China Communication Construction Company out of four Chinese companies submitting proposals to undertake the project.
With the selection of the company, the stalled project is expected to resume after 14 years. The government had unveiled its plan to construct the 72-kilometre outer ring road during the budget announcement in FY 2061/62 BS.
The concept of outer ring road was developed by the government in the early 90s by anticipating the future traffic demands of the valley.
A report prepared by the Ministry of Urban Development states that the Japanese International Cooperation Agency had conducted a study on Kathmandu Valley Urban Road Development in this regard in 1993 upon the request from the Government of Nepal.
The outer ring road is expected to integrate the three existing city centers of the Kathmandu valley, according to the report.
The government subsequently formed strategies for urban transport development with the view of establishing well balanced road transport system for the capital of nation.
According to the report, the outer ring road will play a crucial role in homogeneous development of the valley as well as development of satellite towns. It will also link the traditional settlements in the periphery of the capital and connect them with radial roads.
The main objective of the outer ring road is to control urban sprawl. The report further says that the outer ring road shall be a catalyst for development of greater Kathmandu valley .
