KATHMANDU: The government has estimated that approximately Rs 12.38 billion will be needed to reconstruct road infrastructure damaged by floods and landslides that occurred on October 4, 5 and 6, as well as from earlier disasters.
According to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Rs 10.68 billion will be required to rebuild main highways, alternative roads, Bailey bridges, and permanent bridges damaged during this year’s monsoon. An additional Rs 1.7 billion is needed to restore structures affected by last year’s monsoon.
Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, stated that the ministry and its subordinate bodies are working with high priority to reopen roads obstructed by monsoon-related disasters.
He confirmed that both equipment and manpower have been deployed to restore access, with regular monitoring being conducted by himself and ministry officials.
The Mechi Highway has sustained the most damage this year, with reconstruction costs estimated at Rs 1.5 billion. The repair of other major highways — including Koshi, Mid-Hill (Madhyapahadi), Hulaki, Araniko, Kanti, and Narayanghat–Mugling — is projected to cost around Rs 3.77 billion.
The reconstruction of 17 damaged permanent bridges is estimated to require Rs 4.52 billion, while the cost of repairing and installing Bailey bridges essential for road operations stands at approximately Rs 800 million. Additionally, restoring alternative routes is expected to cost Rs 1.59 billion.
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