Kathmandu, Jan. 12 -- Until two-and-a-half years ago, the Akasedhara-Ram Mandir section in Kapan was a narrow stretch of road, but at least it was blacktopped. Area residents were satisfied with the road, as it served them well, posing no significant problems.

Two years ago, however, as part of the Department of Roads' expansion project, the blacktop was removed to widen the road and install a new drainage system. A perfectly decent road was dug up for expansion and a year-and-a-half later, the road has neither been widened nor the drainage system installed. It remains a dirty, troublesome stretch that becomes muddy with the rain and dusty with the winter.

"Past monsoon, we could not walk on the road due to the mud and had to use a long...