Kathmandu Ring Road Expansion: Preparations to Avoid Past Mistakes in China-Supported Road Upgrade
Following the agreement between Nepal and China to commence the second phase of the Kathmandu Valley Ring Road expansion, Nepali officials have disclosed that they are preparing thoroughly to ensure that the past mistakes in this critical road expansion project are not repeated. On Wednesday, Physical Infrastructure, Transport and Urban Development Minister Sunil Lamsal and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming signed a deal to implement the plan for the second phase of the Ring Road expansion.
The project involves expanding an 8.2-kilometer stretch of road from Kalanki to Basundhara with more than NPR 12 billion in grants from the Chinese government. During the first phase, which was undertaken with Chinese assistance, work from Kalanki to Koteshwor progressed slowly, and concerns were raised regarding the road and related infrastructure. This time, officials say they intend to address those previous issues as the work moves forward.
Ram Hari Pokharel, spokesperson for the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, confirmed that an understanding had been reached between Nepal and China for the Ring Road expansion and that a formal agreement was now in place. “The financial agreement was made earlier, but due to reasons including the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was delayed. In the first phase, delays happened because temples occupied space where poles needed to be removed. This time, the Chinese side indicated that their team will not begin work until everything is ready.”
He added that the Chinese side has completed their survey for the road expansion and will provide a detailed report soon. Once the Roads Department gives suggestions, the contractor will be selected to proceed. “We are not receiving direct funds; the Chinese side will manage all the work,” he said. The Ring Road’s first phase expansion, built with Chinese assistance in 1977, has been advanced since 2013 by the Shanghai Construction Group Co., Ltd.
The first phase included a 10.4-kilometer section from Koteshwor to Kalanki, featuring Nepal’s first eight-lane road with an underpass. The Chinese grant was USD 33.15 million (over NPR 5 billion). For the current 8.2-kilometer expansion, China is providing over 5.66 billion Chinese Yuan, equivalent to more than NPR 12.55 billion in aid. The Chinese Ambassador shared on social media that the project agreement signing marked a new milestone in bilateral cooperation.
Ashika Pokharel, Chief of the Kathmandu Ring Road Expansion Plan under the Roads Department, reported that the Nepalese side is constructing service lanes along the 8.2-kilometer stretch from Kalanki to Basundhara using their own resources, with over 75 percent progress made. She noted, “Once the asphalt work is completed, we will be ready, after which the Chinese side will build the expressway segment in between the 8.2 kilometers.” Following Wednesday’s agreement, the Chinese side is expected to provide designs, and so far previously submitted suggestions have been acknowledged.
Pokharel said, “In the first phase, there were no pedestrian bridges, but this time agreement has been reached to include them. Lighting was also absent before, but it will now be installed. Requests for bridges at various locations have been accepted. Some of the shortcomings from the past will be improved to some extent.” The expansion plan includes constructing three overhead bridges. Since only initial surveys are complete, final decisions will be taken once the designs arrive. The service lane construction is scheduled to be completed within this fiscal year.
“There should now be fewer problems related to clearing the site. The speed of work completion will be roughly decided after the agreement,” she added. Regarding who will rebuild the remaining portions of the Ring Road not covered by the Chinese construction, officials stated that beyond the sections assigned to the Chinese, the rest will be developed with Nepalese resources. Subodh Kumar Devkota, Chief of the Kathmandu Road Division Office, said a 680-meter road section from Maharajgunj to Sukedhara has already been built, and a request for NPR 510 million funding for multi-year contracts up to Gopikrishna Hall in Chabahil has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance.
Devkota explained that road widening and improvements in the Chabahil section will be proposed in the upcoming budget. However, construction up to Koteshwor will be challenging because of the presence of stupas and temples along the roadside in Chabahil and the World Heritage site at Pashupatinath, which complicates widening efforts. Some experts in the area have suggested flyovers. Roads from Gausala leading to the Golf Course, Tribhuvan International Airport, and the Nepal Oil Corporation fuel depot are connected within this region, which will also affect road expansion plans.