Indigenous Commission Proposes Moving Fast Track Start to Dukuchhap

The Indigenous Nationalities Commission has submitted a report to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, recommending a change in the starting point of the Kathmandu–Terai/Madhesh Expressway.

The Commission suggests moving the entry point from Khokana (Lalitpur Metropolitan City-21) to Dukuchhap (Godawari Municipality-8, Lalitpur).

Commission Chair Ram Bahadur Thapa Magar handed over the report at the Prime Minister’s Office in Singha Durbar.

The report says the current route in Khokana could displace the Newar community and harm their rights. Khokana is an area with deep religious and cultural importance to the Newar people.

It also mentions that the UN Human Rights Office raised concerns about the Bagmati River Clean-up Project and urged the government to respond.

The report was prepared after a request from the Prime Minister’s Office, specifically its Human Rights and International Treaty Division.

The Commission also advised the government to talk to local Indigenous communities and get their approval before starting major projects.