Asian Highway upgrade delayed, slow progress raises concerns

JHAPA: The upgrading work on the 45-kilometer eastern section of the East-West Highway, from Kakadbhitta to Padajungi, under the Asian Highway project, has slowed down.

The project, being carried out with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is being executed under the Road Department’s Project Directorate through a contract with Avraskon Kalika JV.

According to Sunilbabu Pant, Project Chief Engineer of the Kakadbhitta-Laukahi Road Project (Eastern Section), only 15 percent of the work has been completed so far, falling short of the expected 20 percent progress based on the construction timeline.

Avraskon Kalika JV signed an agreement with the government on Kartik 2, 2080 BS, with a completion deadline set for Magh 19, 2083 BS.

However, only 12 percent progress was achieved in the first year, raising concerns about whether the project can be completed within the remaining one year and ten months.

Currently, work is ongoing on culverts, bridges, and soil filling. Of the 143 culverts, 93 have been completed, while 17 out of 18 small bridges are under construction.

Despite the use of modern equipment, bridge construction progress remains at only 13 percent.

The overall contract for the road, culverts, and small bridges has been awarded at a cost of Rs. 34.9 billion, funded through an Asian Development Bank loan and the Government of Nepal’s partnership.

Additionally, another company has been contracted for the construction of Kankai, Biring, and Ninda Khola bridges.

With the monsoon season approaching, officials have instructed contractors to accelerate work to avoid further delays.

The project aims to blacktop at least 10 kilometers of the highway within the current fiscal year.

Meanwhile, the construction of an ‘Elephant Underpass’ is underway in the Charali forest area.

Project Chief Pant stated that the underpass is being built in accordance with wildlife-friendly infrastructure standards, with a height of 6.5 meters and a length of 15 meters, making it 1.5 meters higher than the road under construction.