Kathmandu- Hetauda’s long-disputed highway expansion drive has entered a decisive and turbulent phase, triggering fear, displacement and policy debates across the city. From Saturday morning, the Road Division Office, Hetauda, backed by the district administration and heavy security, began demolishing private and public structures along the Mahendra and Tribhuvan highways to enforce a 25–25 yards (75–75 feet) road boundary between Ratomate and the Rapti Bridge, and between Buddha Chowk and Samari Bridge. The action—launched immediately after the expiry of the 15-day eviction notice issued on November 20—forced many residents and traders in Hetauda Bazaar, including Rapti Road, Buddha Chowk, Peepal Bot and Chowkitol Oralo, to shift goods and leave their homes at night fearing dozers. Clothing and footwear shop owners were seen clearing stores by Friday evening, while hotels in the main market were instructed not to take guests. Authorities said that nearly all targeted structures from Ratomate to the core market were razed on Saturday alone, and about two kilometers of remaining sections—mostly around Chowkitol—will be removed in phases.
Despite protests from locals and an interim order issued by the Supreme Court in response to a writ filed by six homeowners, the Makawanpur administration has refused to pause the expansion. Chief District Officer Basanta Adhikari stated that the order has not officially reached the district and therefore cannot be enforced. He clarified that any potential interim relief would apply only to the petitioners, not the entire alignment, and insisted that all preparations had been completed, leaving no reason to stop demolition. A single bench of Justice Meghraj Pokharel had instructed the Road Division to maintain the status quo on a separate writ filed by former lawmaker Bindabasini Kansakar, but district officials said implementation is possible only after the order is formally transmitted through the district court. Police Chief Subash Chandra Bohara had also summoned 120 market entrepreneurs to the District Police Office on Friday to seek cooperation for the operation.
Following Saturday’s massive clearance, authorities paused demolition on Sunday to manage debris and coordinate rehabilitation logistics. Assistant CDO Mohan Raj Joshi said no houses or huts would be removed today, and that cleanup work would proceed jointly with Hetauda Sub-metropolitan City and the Road Division. Structures built within the 9.5-kilometer expansion zone of the two highways were removed on schedule, and officials say the remainder will be dealt with gradually.
As the bulldozers rolled through the city, Hetauda Sub-metropolitan City held its 76th executive meeting and endorsed a nine-point relief and management package for displaced families and businesses. The city decided to request Nepal Rastra Bank, through the Ministry of Finance, to provide concessional loans for residents whose homes were demolished and to support business owners whose enterprises were forced to shut down. Tax exemptions will be offered until affected traders can resume operations, and the municipality plans to introduce fast-track building permit services, waive map-approval fees for structures up to 2020 square feet, and facilitate supply of construction materials. The plan also envisions promoting model houses that reflect the ‘Hetauda identity’ in the rebuilt areas. Additionally, the Sub-metropolitan City will propose that the federal government declare the Tribhuvan Highway a tourist highway, expressing gratitude to residents who cooperated—even reluctantly—with the expansion.
