KATHMANDU: With just over four months remaining until the contract of the Muglin-Pokhara road concludes, only four kilometers have been blacklisted during the last two and a half years.
The road stands as one of the ongoing road projects in Nepal, showcasing the operational approach of Chinese construction firms.
Responsible for the eastern segment, exceeding 41 km, the Chinese contractor has overseen the project for over two and a half years.
With a contractual deadline just around the corner, the Chinese contractor has laid just four kilometers of two-way black pavement in the eastern section of Tanahun.
However, engineer Bishnu Prasad Pandey, overseeing the project, shared that substantial milestones have been achieved.
The eastern section, spanning from Ambukhaireni to Jamune in Tanahun, covers 41.5 kilometers.
Notably, 45 percent of the expansion work to convert the road into a four-lane thoroughfare has been completed.
The construction involves diverse tasks, including road widening, concrete bridge and culvert construction, and the removal of houses along the route.
Efforts to facilitate smoother traffic flow include the creation of a two-way black road in the Chhirkne-Dumre section of Bandipur.
The eastern section’s construction, awarded to China Communications Construction, commenced on January 30, 2021, and is scheduled for completion by May 2024.
The project involves the construction of three major and four minor bridges, contributing to the infrastructural development of the region.
In contrast, the western section, stretching from Jamune in Tanahun to Pokhara, has seen an acceleration in preparations for black sheeting, set to begin in the coming weeks.
Approximately two kilometers of the road pavement base have been completed, setting the stage for the imminent black paper application.
Engineer Narayan Prasad Paudel stated that the black paper application is expected to commence at the end of January or early February.
The section’s completion has been undertaken by Yanhui Kaiyuan Highway and Bridge Construction company leading the efforts under a Rs 7 billion 40 million 46 million contract.
The ambitious Muglin-Pokhara road extension project is crucial in addressing the rising vehicular traffic, with plans to convert the road into a four-lane corridor supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The meticulous design details a 41-meter-wide road in densely populated areas and a 46-meter-wide road in specific regions, ensuring enhanced connectivity and infrastructure for years to come.
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