Nepal’s Fast Track Highway Threatens a Community’s Ancestral Land and Sacred History
A planned highway in Nepal is threatening the land and ancestry of the Khokana community. Manhera Shrestha’s family faces losing part of their ancestral farmland, which they have cultivated for generations. The project has sparked years of resistance and legal challenges from local residents.
The Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track highway, overseen by Nepal’s Department of Roads, has faced opposition since 2018. Locals, including the Newa people, fear displacement and the destruction of their historical sites. The proposed route would cut through sacred areas like the Shikali Temple grounds, disrupting annual chariot processions and funeral traditions.
Residents of Khokana and nearby Bungamati have taken their fight to the Supreme Court. Two writ petitions argue that the fast-track project endangers the ancient history of both towns. Campaigners have also appealed to the United Nations, with some U.N. Special Procedures now seeking answers from those involved. Construction delays have left only 44% of the highway completed, casting doubt on its 2027 deadline. Disputes and resistance continue, while additional infrastructure projects—such as an outer ring road and power lines—add to the pressure on the communities. Locals claim the government has ignored environmental assessments that highlight risks to religious and historical landmarks.
The highway’s path through Khokana would take 0.3 hectares of the Shrestha family’s land and alter their way of life. Legal battles and international appeals reflect the broader struggle to protect cultural identity and ancestral ties. With completion uncertain, the project’s future remains tied to ongoing negotiations and protests.
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