Earth Highway Blocked: Permissions and Restrictions for Vehicles Entering Kathmandu
Due to a complete landslide of about 100 meters near Krishna Bhir on the Prithvi Highway, alternative arrangements have been made by traffic police for vehicles entering and exiting Kathmandu.
Following the landslide last Sunday, Nareshraj Subedi, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Office, announced three alternative routes to minimize disruption to traffic and goods transportation to and from Kathmandu.
The Prithvi Highway is regarded as the main ‘lifeline’ as it connects various parts of the country with the federal capital.
Vehicles travel to and from eastern and western Nepal along the 174-kilometer road section that starts from Naubise and extends to Prithvi Chowk in Pokhara.
The first 100 kilometers of the Prithvi Highway run along the Trishuli River bank up to Muglin.
What Are the Alternative Routes?
According to Kathmandu Valley Traffic Office spokesperson Nareshraj Subedi, there are currently three main alternative routes in use.
“We are primarily using the Kantipath route, another alternative is the path from Pharping to Hetauda,” he explained.
“The third option is the route via Naubise-Palung leading to Bhainse, exiting toward Makwanpur, which we have organized.”
Who Is Allowed and Who Is Restricted?
Spokesperson Subedi stated that vehicles larger than ten-wheelers are currently restricted from use.
“Passenger vehicles with a capacity greater than 14 seats have been arranged to travel via Naubise to Hetauda,” he added.
“Smaller vehicles with up to 14 seats are permitted to travel to Hetauda through the Pharping route.”
“Goods vehicles with fewer than ten seats are allowed to proceed to Hetauda via Kantipath,” Subedi explained.
He further noted that due to road conditions and traffic volume, vehicles with over 10 seats are not permitted on this route.
“Only ten-wheeler vehicles are allowed to use that route. Vehicles entering Kathmandu will also be allowed only if they meet the specified capacity and will enter via the Naubise route,” he confirmed.
How Is Traffic Being Managed?
Photo credit: DOR Nepal
Subedi noted that priority is given to vehicles carrying essential goods such as food grains, petroleum products, gas, and medicines.
“If anyone faces issues, they can contact the traffic office, district police, local police, or the nearest law enforcement,” he stated.
He acknowledged that the traffic situation is not yet satisfactory.
“If problems arise in a timely manner, we deploy traffic police immediately to ease the situation,” Subedi assured.
Currently, approximately 15,000 vehicles enter Kathmandu daily.
“Vehicles larger than ten-wheelers are restricted, allowing only smaller vehicles to operate,” he added.
He emphasized that traffic is being managed effectively with the alternative routes arranged.
“Coordination has been established with traffic authorities in Makwanpur and Dhading districts to facilitate smooth traffic management,” Subedi concluded.
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