KAVREPALANCHOWK: Permanent reconstruction of the BP Highway, which was damaged by repeated floods and landslides, has begun.
The Divisional Road Office, Bhaktapur, stated that reconstruction work has started on three key sections of the highway, a vital route connecting the eastern and mid-hilly regions of Nepal with the federal capital, Kathmandu.
About 30 kilometers of the highway in Kavrepalanchowk and Sindhuli were damaged by floods and landslides in the last week of September last year and the first week of October this year. While the road had been temporarily reopened, permanent reconstruction is now underway.
Chief Divisional Engineer Suman Yogesh said contracts have been signed for the three damaged sections, with construction beginning in Chowkidanda, Mangaltar, Narke Gimdi, and surrounding areas.
The permanent reconstruction will include upgrading the highway to a two-lane road, constructing new bridges alongside existing ones, and converting five bridges into two lanes. The office aims to complete the reconstruction within two years.
The Dalabesi to Charsayabesi (8.5 km) section has been awarded to Khani-Avon-Kamaljit JV at a cost of Rs 1.42 billion, while the Charsayabesi to Bhakundebesi (11.08 km) section is being reconstructed by Lama-Nawakantipur JV at Rs 1.33 billion.
The Nepalthok to Barkhekhola (4.90 km) section has been contracted to Kharidhunga-Ghising-Kshitij JV at Rs 610 million. Out of the total 29.5 km of damaged road, the Barkhekhola to Piple (3.2 km) section will be reconstructed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with a grant of Rs 2.63 billion.
The government has already allocated Rs 8.5 billion for the reconstruction, including Rs 7.5 billion for the Kavrepalanchowk sections and Rs 1 billion for the Sindhuli section.
The BP Highway (Dhulikhel-Sindhuli-Bardibas, 160 km), originally constructed with Japanese assistance beginning in FY 2053/054, was formally handed over to the Government of Nepal in Asad 2072 BS. It remains a crucial route linking Kathmandu with the eastern and mid-hilly regions of the country.
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