BP Highway reconstruction intensified; Kavre section set for reopening before monsoon

KAVREPALANCHOK: Reconstruction of the BP Highway has been intensified to restore normal vehicle movement in the Kavre section before the monsoon, officials said.

The BP Highway, the shortest route linking the eastern hills and southern plains to the federal capital, Kathmandu, was significantly damaged by landslides and floods triggered by the late monsoon rains in September 2024. Nearly a 30 km stretch of the highway was destroyed by the rain‑triggered floods and landslides.

Reconstruction was launched from three sections along the highway. Chief senior divisional engineer Suman Yogesh said they had stepped up repair work to bring the highway back into normal use and that the pace of work at present suggests the highway will be operating at full capacity in the Kavrepalanchok section before the rainy season.

Of the four damaged sections, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is assisting with the reconstruction of a 3.2 km stretch from Barkhekhola to Piple. The contract for this is expected to be finalised within a month.

RCC walls are being constructed in the washed‑out sections of the roadway, and widening of the road from Dalabesi to Narke via Mangalbar and Charsayabensi is underway. After reconstruction, the roadway will have two lanes, and there will be five motorable bridges.

Officials said it will take two years to complete the reconstruction of the damaged roads in Kavrepalanchok and Sindhuli districts.

For the 8.5 km road stretching from Dalabesi to Charsayabensi, Khani‑A1‑Kamaljit has been contracted at Rs 1.42 billion. Lama‑Nawakantipur JV has been contracted to reconstruct an 11.08 km section from Charsayabensi to Bhakundebensi, and Kharidhunga‑Ghising‑Kshitiz JV has been contracted to build the 4.90 km stretch from Nepalthok to Barkhekhola.

By RSS