CHITWAN: A critical section of the Narayanghat–Muglin highway, a key route linking Kathmandu and Pokhara with the southern plains, will not be repaired in the current fiscal year due to a lack of budget allocation.
The road sank following continuous heavy rains in September 2024, affecting around 165 meters of roadway. Of this, an 85-meter stretch has subsided up to 8 meters deep, with an average width of 3.5 meters. Cracks have also appeared across the rest of the segment, making it highly unstable.
The collapse was caused by water-induced erosion beneath the asphalt, which weakened the subsoil. According to Narayan Lamichhane, head of the Division Road Office, repairs require rebuilding the entire damaged area simultaneously due to structural concerns. Plans include using deep foundation piles ranging from 18 to 25 meters in depth.
Although the design for the repair was completed in January and submitted in February, the opportunity for multi-year contract budget approval expired before funding could be secured. As a result, the Rs 320 million (approx. USD 2.4 million) project is on hold until at least the next fiscal year.
In the meantime, temporary measures have been implemented to prevent further damage. Gabion nets—wire cages filled with stones—have been installed as a short-term solution to stabilize the affected zone.
The delay raises concerns given that over 10,000 vehicles pass through the highway daily.
The Narayanghat–Muglin road is one of Nepal’s most important transportation corridors, and extended delays in reconstruction could have serious safety and economic consequences, especially with the monsoon season approaching.
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