Kathmandu, Nov. 15 -- Swayambhunath begins to stir as early as 3 am, when the elderly faithful begin their slow walk from their homes to the stupa for morning prayers. By late morning, hundreds of Buddhist locals cross the Ring Road to get to Swayambhu for the daily kora, where pilgrims circumambulate the stupa.

But for the elderly, who constitute the bulk of the worshippers, crossing the Ring Road is fraught with danger, from speeding vehicles and due to a large area to cover for older, slower people. And now that 8.2km Kalanki-Balaju-Maharajgunj section of the Ring Road is being expanded, there are fears that things could get much worse.

"Every day, I cross the Ring Road to worship at Swayambhunath, but it scares me," said 72-year-old...