KATHMANDU: The expansion of the 16-kilometer stretch from Suryabinayak to Dhulikhel along the Araniko Highway to a 6-lane road has gained significant momentum.
The expansion work began in January 2023 with an original completion timeline of 36 months.
The project was divided into two sections: from Suryabinayak in Bhaktapur to Sanga, and from Sanga to Dhulikhel. However, the project has reported only about 30 percent progress so far.
A contract agreement was signed for the expansion of the 7.5-km Suryabinayak-Sanga section for 3.8893 billion rupees, and for the 8.4-km Sanga-Dhulikhel section at 4.564 billion rupees.
According to the Suryabinayak-Dhulikhel, Sindhuli-Bardibas Road Project Office, the expansion work, however, has faced delays due to a budget shortage.
The road, including the main highway and service lanes, is intended to be widened to 6 lanes, but the project has struggled to keep pace with its initial timeline.
Currently, construction of retaining walls on both sides of the road, as well as drains and culverts, is nearing completion.
However, challenges persist, particularly in the Sanga area, where a large bend in the road and a steep cliff below have complicated the construction process.
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