Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has issued an ultimatum for the removal of an unauthorized hoarding board erected along the Thamel area on the Ring Road.

The board, placed without prior approval by the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project, has ignited controversy regarding the delay in the commencement of road expansion works.

Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) of Kathmandu Metropolitan City shared images of the contentious hoarding board, expressing concern over the delay in initiating road expansion activities. The notice issued by KMC specifies that while the first phase of the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project, spanning from Koteshwor to Kalanki, has been successfully completed, the second phase from Kalanki to Basundhara Bridge is awaiting progress.

According to the notice, the Nepali government, in collaboration with the government of China, has undertaken the second phase of the project. Site clearance has been completed by the Nepali government, with detailed engineering designs and related works being handled by the Chinese side, including technical confirmations.

However, objections have arisen regarding the placement of hoarding boards insinuating collaboration between the Nepali government and the Shanghai Construction Company (China). These boards boldly declare ‘Not under the jurisdiction of Kathmandu Metropolitan City’ at various locations, despite the absence of any formal procurement action or agreement.

Perceived as a violation of Section 19 of the Public Roads Act 2031 BS, the responsible party for the hoarding board has been given a three-day ultimatum from the publication date of the notice to remove it. Failure to comply may result in the Department of Roads taking direct action for removal, with further consequences outlined under Section 30 of the same act.