KATHMANDU: The notorious traffic congestion that plagued the Daunne section of the Narayangadh–Butwal road during the monsoon season has significantly eased this year as the road expansion project enters its final phase.
Until last year, even light rainfall, ongoing construction works, landslide clearance operations, or vehicle breakdowns would trigger hours-long traffic jams along the Daunne stretch. Thousands of travelers were often stranded on the road for extended periods during both the monsoon and winter seasons.
However, with most of the road now blacktopped and construction nearing completion, traffic movement has become considerably smoother.
According to available records, the Daunne section, located in Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality–2 of Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), was obstructed 63 times between July 16, 2024, and July 16, 2025. This year, however, commuters and drivers report a marked improvement in road conditions and traffic flow.
Regular highway user Ramu Bhusal recalled spending hours crossing Daunne in previous years but said travel has become much easier. “Last year, even a brief spell of rain would leave us stuck in traffic. Now the widened and blacktopped road has made the journey smoother and reduced travel time,” he said.
Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality Chairperson Ghanshyam Giri said residents, business owners and travelers have all felt relief as transportation has become more reliable. “The Daunne bottleneck had become a national concern. As the road expansion project reaches its final stage, mobility has improved significantly, benefiting the local economy, tourism and daily life,” he said.
Superintendent of Police Yubaraj Khadka of the Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) District Police Office said traffic management has become much easier compared to last year.
“In previous years, police had to manage repeated traffic jams caused by construction activities and rainfall. With road conditions improving, vehicle movement is now smooth and prolonged disruptions have largely been avoided,” he said.
Shiva Khanal, information officer and engineer at the Narayangadh–Butwal Road Project (Eastern Section), said the completion of blacktopping and concrete pavement work on the main roadway has greatly improved travel conditions.
“The overall physical progress of the eastern section has reached 92.38 percent,” Khanal said. “The remaining work includes road safety measures, lane markings, signboards and guardrails. The hardships faced by travelers due to construction have been reduced to a large extent.”
The Narayangadh–Butwal road, one of the busiest sections of the East-West Highway, is being upgraded with concessional loan assistance from the Asian Development Bank. Project officials said major pavement works in the eastern section have been completed, while construction of safety features and supporting infrastructure is in its final phase.
Although some minor works are still underway, the recurring situation in which even moderate rainfall caused hours-long traffic disruptions has not been witnessed this monsoon season.
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