LALITPUR: Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the Gwarko Overpass in Lalitpur, constructed under the Kathmandu Valley Ring Road project.
The long-awaited infrastructure is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in the area.
The project was initiated by the Quality Research and Development Center under the Department of Roads, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport.
The government had signed an agreement with Ashish-Samanantar Religare JV Construction Company, setting the initial completion deadline for February 2024.
However, due to repeated delays, the deadline was extended twice. Construction work was also halted for about a month during Poush and Magh last year due to technical issues.
According to Pradeep Bhandari, spokesperson for the Center, the contractor was fined approximately Rs 14.7 million in damages for failing to meet the project deadline.
“The delay occurred primarily due to technical complications and unavoidable design modifications,” Bhandari explained.
“Although the project began according to the original design, necessary changes were later required, which took additional time for study and approval.”
Bhandari further noted that unforeseen issues with ground conditions extended the timeline. “We discovered that the soil beneath the site required more reinforcement than anticipated when installing the Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) wall. This additional ground improvement work consumed more time and resources.”
Additional complications arose on the Satdobato side during the construction of the approach road. “Uneven soil compaction led to a widening gap between Panels 4 and 5, requiring both panels to be dismantled and reconnected properly. This also contributed to the delay,” Bhandari added.
The completed flyover spans a total length of 576.2 meters, including ramps and bridge structure. The overpass measures 320 meters from Gwarko Chowk toward Lagankhel and 185 meters toward Satdobato.
The central bridge section is 36.2 meters long. The structure is 16.4 meters wide and designed to accommodate four lanes of traffic. Four layers of blacktop have been applied on both sides to ensure road durability.
With the completion of the Gwarko Overpass, Nepal marks a significant milestone in its road infrastructure development. The new flyover is expected to greatly ease traffic flow in the area and serve as a model for future urban road projects.
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