National
Ramechhap businessmen protest heavy vehicles’ ban on BP Highway
Hundreds of businessmen took out a rally on Saturday in Manthali, the district headquarters of Ramechhap, carrying Dhakar, a bamboo basket, against the Supreme Court’s decision to ban heavy vehicles on the BP Highway.Tika Prasad Bhatta
Hundreds of businessmen took out a rally on Saturday in Manthali, the district headquarters of Ramechhap, carrying Dhakar, a bamboo basket, against the Supreme Court’s decision to ban heavy vehicles on the BP Highway.
The businessmen are in a weeklong protest programme to pressure the government to allow heavy vehicles on the highway. They protesters demanded withdrawal of the SC order.
Ramechhap Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice Chairman Keshav Ghimire said the government overlooked their day-to-day problems and even the court did not understand their difficulties. “Twenty years ago, the situation of Ramechhap was similar. At that time, people used to carry goods on their back in bamboo baskets from Sindhuli,” said Ghimire, adding that carrying goods in light vehicles is similar to carrying goods in bamboo baskets.
The SC order on June 4 has affected the daily life of people in Ramechhap, Dolakha, Okhaldhunga and Sindhuli, the agitating group claimed. They said the BP Highway was the only route that links the four districts with the Tarai.