KATHMANDU: Reconstruction and strengthening works on the BP Highway, a key road link connecting Kathmandu with eastern Nepal, have reached around 30 percent physical progress as authorities race to improve the flood-damaged corridor before the monsoon intensifies.
The highway suffered severe damage in October 2024 after floods in the Roshi River washed away nearly 30.5 kilometers of road. Since last year, the government has been working to reinforce the damaged section between Bhakundebesi in Namobuddha Municipality and Nepalthok in Sindhuli.
According to engineer Shankar Khanal of the Bhaktapur Road Division Office, reconstruction on the Kavre side covers 27.3 kilometers and has been divided into three contract packages.
Of these, the 3.2-kilometer Piple-Barkhekhola section is being rebuilt with a grant assistance of Rs 2.63 billion from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The remaining sections are being implemented through separate contracts awarded by the division office earlier this year.
“We have achieved more than 30 percent physical progress and 26 percent financial progress overall,” Khanal said.
Authorities have identified around 10 highly sensitive locations covering nearly eight kilometers, including Chaukidanda, Katunjebesi, Charsayabesi, Narke, Threethali, Chiuribas, Boksikuna and Dalabesi.
New engineering design for flood-prone areas
Khanal said reconstruction is being carried out using a different design than in the past to better withstand flooding.
In vulnerable sections, engineers are constructing reinforced concrete retaining walls extending deep below the riverbed rather than building walls only from the surface level.
“Building walls only from the ground surface allowed floodwaters to erode the road. We are now constructing foundations up to around 3.5 meters below the riverbed with steel reinforcement and building retaining walls ranging from six to eleven meters high depending on site conditions,” he explained.
He said about 95 percent of the retaining wall foundation work has already been completed.
Highway to reopen within two hours after flood disruptions
Authorities claim they are prepared to restore traffic within two hours even if flooding disrupts the highway during the monsoon.
“Our main objective is to ensure that the road can be reopened within two hours under any circumstances if flooding causes an interruption,” Khanal said.
For now, vehicles are still being diverted through temporary routes to avoid disrupting ongoing construction activities.
Lessons from past flood emergencies
The urgency of the project stems from repeated flooding incidents along the Roshi River corridor.
On May 4, rising water levels in the Roshi River near Chaukidanda and Charsayabesi stranded several microbuses in the river. Around 89 passengers were rescued in a late-night operation involving the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force using rafts, ropes and excavators.
Khanal acknowledged that driver negligence had contributed to some past incidents despite warnings from authorities.
“We are coordinating closely with security agencies and plan to halt vehicle movement from both ends of the highway immediately when flood warnings are issued,” he said.
To reduce risks, traffic movement along the highway is currently restricted from 5:00 pm to 6:00 am.
According to studies conducted by the road division, floodwaters generally reach vulnerable sections around three hours after heavy rainfall occurs in areas such as Banepa and Phulchoki, providing a window for preventive measures.
Construction materials and emergency equipment have also been pre-positioned at high-risk locations to enable rapid response during emergencies.
JICA-funded reconstruction underway
The JICA-funded Piple-Barkhekhola section officially entered the reconstruction phase after a groundbreaking ceremony held on May 26, attended by Infrastructure Development Ministry Secretary Gopal Sigdel and Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Maeda Toru.
Under the agreement, Japan has provided approximately Rs 2.6 billion in grant assistance, with completion targeted for December 2027.
So far, soil testing and improvements to temporary diversion routes are underway.
Sindhuli section reaches 50% completion
The Barkhekhola-Nepalthok section in Sindhuli, which was completely damaged by the 2024 floods, is being reconstructed by Kharidhunga-Ghising-Kshitij JV at a cost of Rs 610 million, including VAT.
According to engineer Sudarshan Upreti of the Khurkot Road Division Office in Sindhuli, the project has achieved 50 percent physical progress and 44 percent financial progress.
Retaining wall construction remains the primary focus, with engineers on both the Kavre and Sindhuli sections following a similar reconstruction design aimed at improving resilience against future floods.
The BP Highway, originally built with Japanese financial and technical assistance beginning in fiscal year 1996/97, was fully opened to traffic in April 2015 and remains one of Nepal’s most important east-west transport corridors.
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