KATHMANDU: Despite years of discussions regarding the extension of the second section of Kathmandu’s Ring Road, construction has yet to commence, with no anticipated start date in sight.
A cooperation agreement signed between Nepalese and Chinese officials on August 22, 2024, has failed to spur any progress on the project.
The second phase aims to extend an 8.2 km segment from Kalanki to the Basundhara culvert, financed by a Chinese grant, but it has faced considerable delays.
The first phase, connecting Koteshwar to Kalanki, started in 2069 BS and was completed in 2075 BS.
In contrast, the second phase has hit snags from both the Nepalese and Chinese governments.
Krishnanath Ojha, head of the Kathmandu Ring Road Expansion Project, noted that while the agreement was finalized, the official documentation has not yet been received in Nepal.
“All preparatory work is completed,” Ojha said, “but delays are primarily due to a shortage of construction materials, including the service track.”
The initial government-to-government (G2G) agreement with China in 2018 set the stage for the expansion.
However, the Chinese government has hesitated to begin work until all preparatory measures on the Nepalese side are finalized.
Bijay Jaisi, Deputy Director General of the Roads Department, confirmed that despite a support letter being signed, there have been no further updates. “It was signed in the presence of the Ministry of Finance and Chinese officials,” he added.
Complicating matters, former Secretary Tulsi Sitaula highlighted that the size of China’s grant is relatively small, potentially prolonging the project’s timeline. “Taking out a loan might speed up progress,” Sitaula stated, “but relying on a grant can be more time-consuming.”
To encourage progress, ten MPs from Kathmandu proposed a motion in parliament in June regarding the delayed expansion.
The narrow and deteriorating road section has caused severe traffic congestion, and the resulting dust and mud have adversely affected local residents and businesses.
In February 2022, the Chinese Henan Communications Planning and Design Institute was tasked with preparing a detailed project report (DPR) within two months, but the report has not yet been submitted.
The Roads Department mentioned that creating the DPR could take six months if work started now.
China’s technical team had suggested that construction could begin within ten months of the agreement being signed, but progress has stalled on both ends.
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