Kathmandu, Feb. 17 -- Prime Minister Sushila Karki has instructed authorities to proceed with the Kathmandu-Tarai Expressway using an alternative starting point, setting aside the dispute over Khokana.

Local communities in Lalitpur had raised concerns that beginning the expressway at Khokana would affect religious and cultural heritage. Khokana is a traditional and small Newari village about eight kilometres south of Kathmandu.

At a meeting at the Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday, Karki directed officials to move forward with a revised plan.

During a January 27 inspection of the under-construction expressway, she emphasised the need to consider local concerns while advancing development work. She also said that even if the starting p...