Work on Sanga–Dhulikhel road stalls due to monsoon

KATHMANDU: Road widening under the upgradation of Araniko Highway’s Sanga–Dhulikhel section has come to a halt due to the monsoon rains.

According to the Suryabinayak–Dhulikhel–Sindhuli–Bardibas Road Project, work will resume once the monsoon ends.

While construction is stalled across the section, work in Pulbazar has remained completely halted for the past four months due to local obstruction.

Locals have opposed the road expansion over a dispute on the centerline demarcation. Although the road is being expanded within 140 feet, 10 feet short of the 150-foot right-of-way, locals demand an equal offset on both sides of the centerline, creating a deadlock.

Engineer Bishnu Prasad Khanal said that although materials are ready, the rain has delayed blacktopping of the Dhulikhel–Banepa stretch and the Janagal area. Additionally, the removal of about 50 electricity poles and a structure at the 28 km mark has been halted.

Construction of drains in the Chandeshwori–Banepa Chowk area has also stopped due to continuous rain. Several discussions between stakeholders, municipal representatives, and locals have failed to resolve the centerline dispute in Pulbazar, halting work and delaying the removal of structures, utility poles, and cables.

Started in December 2022, the 16-km highway section, divided into Suryabinayak–Sanga and Sanga–Dhulikhel, was supposed to be completed in 36 months. However, only about 50% of the work is complete so far.

According to project official Sajana Adhikari, delays in removing trees, structures, and utility lines have impacted progress. She said about 65% of the physical work will likely be done within the original timeframe, but an extension will be necessary. The total cost of the two phases is over Rs 7.94 billion