New Government Prepares to Keep Highways Operational During the Monsoon Season
Image Source: Department of Roads
The Department of Roads has identified 612 high-risk locations along highways that could be obstructed during the coming monsoon season.
The department has instructed divisional road offices to prepare by equipping themselves with necessary machinery such as dozers and excavators in these areas.
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development stated that since the newly formed government in Chaitra last year is facing its first monsoon, it has issued orders to subordinate offices to prevent prolonged highway closures. “We have issued directives to adopt all possible measures to avoid blockages,” said ministry spokesperson Ramhari Pokharel.
Risk of Mudslides on East-West Mahendra Highway
According to the Department of Roads, between the east from Kankadbhitta to Hetauda, some sections have asphalt pavement while others remain vulnerable to getting muddy. The expansion from Hetauda to Narayangadh has not yet begun, while work toward western Butwal is nearly complete.
Syam Bahadur Khadka, the department’s deputy director general, noted that the stretch under upgrading from Butwal to Gorusinge may become muddy during monsoon.
Expansion work on the western stretch has yet to begin.
Risk of Obstruction on BP Highway
Image Source: RSS
The Department of Roads warns that the Bhakunde Bensi-Khurkot section of the BP Highway, currently operating under temporary diversion along the riverbank, could be blocked during the monsoon.
“Work is ongoing on the BP Highway. The diversion along the riverbank is being removed. If the water level rises, the diversion may be swept away,” Khadka explained.
“Travel in that area will only be possible depending on the condition of the diversion and coordination with the road and police authorities.”
Before the monsoon, work is underway to remove the diversion from the riverbank and reconstruct the road.
Prithvi Highway Faces Minimal Issues
Image Source: Department of Roads
The Prithvi Highway, connecting Kathmandu and the tourist destination Pokhara, faces fewer problems this year compared to last year.
About 42 kilometers from Thankot to Muglin are asphalted, while some sections without pavement may become muddy.
Though several bridges are under construction between Muglin and Pokhara, the roadway is already asphalted.
In landslide-prone areas, equipment has been prepared and plans made to deploy private sector resources if needed.
Mid-Hill Highway
Image Source: RSS
The Mid-Hill Highway connects 26 hill districts from Chiyovhanyang in Panchthar to Jhula Ghat in Baitadi. Several segments still require asphalting.
Travel can be difficult for small vehicles in unpaved areas.
The department’s spokesperson, Khadka, stated that landslide-risk zones in Jajarkot, Rukum West, and Baglung have been identified.
Offices near potentially obstructed locations are advised to stay prepared.
Karnali Highway
Three vulnerable spots have been identified along the Karnali Highway, which connects the Himalayan districts of Karnali Province to Banke in Lumbini Province, that may be affected by the monsoon.
The site areas of Gagne Khola, Dahi Khola, and S Mode have been designated as landslide risk zones, prompting the Department of Roads to commence preparations.
Although some concrete landslide-prone areas exist along the Mahakali Highway, it is considered to be at relatively low risk under normal conditions.
Mechi Highway
Image Source: BBC/AshokDahal
Following damages from last year’s floods to the Rajduwali section of Mai Khola, reconstruction remains incomplete, posing a risk of blockage during the monsoon on the Mechi Highway’s Jhapa-Taplejung section, the Department of Roads has cautioned.
“Caution is advised in that area during rainfall,” Khadka noted.
Siddhartha Highway
The tunnel under construction in the Siddhaba area of Palpa remains unfinished, making travel risky in this region.
This highway connects Siddharthanagar in Rupandehi to Pokhara in Kaski via Palpa and Syangja. Past incidents have involved fatal accidents caused by falling rocks from above.
“Risk of falling rocks increases after rainfall followed by sunshine, so travelers must exercise caution,” Khadka urged.
A one-kilometer-long tunnel in the risk zone is in its final stage and is expected to be operational before the upcoming monsoon.
Road Work Continues Around the Kathmandu Valley
Image Source: Narayan Dutta Bhandari
Among the four road routes connecting Kathmandu Valley and Hetauda, two sections will be closed for about a month as per the Nepal Police’s list.
Farping-Kulekhani and Satungal-Chitlang-Kulekhani roads will be periodically closed for maintenance.
Though landslide risk areas exist on the Tribhuvan Rajpath going from Naubise through Danum toward Hetauda and on the Kanti Highway from Chapagaun, Lalitpur, to Tikabhairav and then to Hetauda, there are currently no major issues.
The Arniko (Kodari) Highway, which links Kathmandu to the Chinese border, has three identified landslide risk zones in the Doklang area. Issues such as soil erosion have appeared on the Syaifrubensi-Rasuwagadhi section of the road leading to Rasuwagadhi border crossing after a contract was terminated.
“The delay occurred due to terminating the old contract and initiating a new one for road improvement,” Khadka explained.
Many segments of the Hulaki Highway, linking southern inner cities of Terai-Madhesh along the East-West Mahendra Highway, remain under construction, with portions already paved.
The Madan Bhandari Highway, extending from Bahun Dangi in Jhapa through the Chure region to Dadeldhura and Darchula, also has many incomplete sections, although some have been paved.