KAVRE: Night-time traffic restrictions planned for the Dhulikhel–Khawa section of the Araniko Highway have been postponed due to construction difficulties caused by continuous rainfall, authorities said.
The section, which is currently undergoing upgrading and blacktopping work, had earlier been scheduled for full night closure from 7:00 pm to 5:00 am for 15 days starting today to facilitate construction work.
However, the plan has now been withdrawn after recent rainfall damaged parts of the prepared sub-base and affected ongoing road works, making construction under the previous schedule unfeasible, according to the Road Division Office.
Engineer Sitaram Budhathoki of the office said the contractor had submitted a formal request to reschedule the work plan after the rainfall disrupted progress and damaged parts of the prepared surface layers.
Earlier, the Kavre District Security Committee had decided to fully restrict traffic during nighttime hours along the section until August 20, allowing only daytime movement for certain vehicles depending on the category.
The decision was part of efforts to expedite blacktopping works on the four-kilometre stretch. Under the initial plan, heavy trucks and tipper vehicles were to be completely restricted, while other vehicles were to be allowed only during daytime hours.
The Road Division Office in Bhaktapur had earlier announced plans to intensify construction by stopping nighttime traffic from mid-July, but officials said the schedule was later adjusted to avoid disruption in material supply and end-of-fiscal-year construction constraints.
The section had previously undergone similar nighttime closures in Chaitra for about a month, during which approximately 2.5 kilometres of blacktopping work was completed with one-way daytime traffic operation.
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