Around 96.47 percent of the land-acquisition process for the Kathmandu-Tarai expressway has been completed—save for the stretch in Bungamati and Khokana areas of Lalitpur district. The army says land-acquisition in these places have been halted over a compensation row. But the halt has more to do with the cultural significance of these areas.  

As the town planning principles and traditional architecture of Kathmandu valley were transplanted to Khokana and Bungamati in the seventh century, these settlements represent not just a Newari townscape. They also have architectural, aesthetical, and symbolic values. 

The expressway’s construction through these areas will destroy several heritage sites and ancient settlements. Besides the fast track, seven other projects are proposed in these areas. These “development undertakings” could further impact the local heritage, fear experts.  

In 1996, King Birendra had proposed Khokana as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, the village is at risk, says Sanjay Adhikari, a public interest litigator for natural and cultural heritage.  

“The 27-meter-wide expressway will destroy the proposed heritage site,” he says. “The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, of which Nepal is a signatory, as well as our constitution, advocate for the rights of indigenous people. But we are ignoring our commitment.” 

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