KATHMANDU: The BP Highway, damaged at 16 locations due to flooding in the Roshi River, is expected to reopen by Friday, according to the Department of Roads.
Repairs have been completed on nine damaged sections, covering about 1,845 meters, while work such as diversion construction and maintenance is ongoing on the remaining seven locations, totaling 1,997 meters, said department spokesperson Prabhat Kumar Jha.
“The flood had damaged a total of 3,842 meters of road. Of this, repair work has been completed at Dalabesi (500m), Kaladhunga (410m), Narke (50m), Gimdibesi (50m), Char saya besi Ghumaune (80m), Katunje Ghumaune (300m), Chaukidanda (375m), and Dapcha Bridge (80m),” Jha said.
Work is also underway to complete temporary diversions today at Mamti (400m), Lower Pipley (220m), Upper Pipley (220m), Bokshikuna (200m), Chiusiwas (120m), Char saya besi (300m), and Upper Mamti (235m), according to Janak Bhatt, a representative of Nawa Kantipur Joint Venture.
Newly appointed Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Kulman Ghising visited the site on Thursday afternoon and directed authorities to restore traffic as soon as possible on the highway, which serves as a lifeline connecting the Kathmandu Valley with the eastern districts.
Last year’s flood had already damaged parts of the same highway, and the temporary diversion built afterward was swept away again this year, causing the complete closure of the BP Highway. The Bhaktapur Division Road Office estimated a loss of around Rs 30 million due to the damage.
Currently, around 16–17 heavy machines are being used for repair and reconstruction work.
According to Bhatt, the diversion from Sukha Pahiro to Mamti (Package 3) will be completed by Friday, allowing the full operation of the highway. However, he noted that the continuous water flow in the river has made the work more challenging.
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