RASUWA: Traffic movement along the Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi road, Nepal’s busiest northern trade gateway with China, has been affected due to muddy conditions caused by the ongoing road upgrade and the monsoon rains.
Hundreds of freight vehicles enter Nepal daily from Kerung, while Nepali goods are exported through the same route. To improve the road’s capacity and ensure safer transportation, construction of a modern two-lane road is underway.
Sections of the road were washed away by last year’s floods, which also damaged retaining walls and heightened the risk of landslides. In response, the Chinese government has undertaken reconstruction and upgrading works aimed at ensuring the road’s long-term safety and reliability.
The project includes widening the road, constructing new retaining walls and culverts, and installing landslide mitigation structures.
Once completed, the upgraded road is expected to allow smooth two-way traffic, reduce travel time, and improve the safety and efficiency of freight transportation. The project is also expected to facilitate trade, tourism, and the supply of goods through the Rasuwagadhi border point between Nepal and China.
Construction, however, has been slowed by the ongoing monsoon season. Authorities have urged motorists travelling along the route to exercise caution, as sections of the road remain muddy and vulnerable to potholes and landslides. Officials said construction is being carried out in phases, with efforts underway to restore full traffic operations as soon as possible.
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