KATHMANDU: The much-delayed Narayangadh–Butwal Road Expansion Project has reached 69 percent physical progress as the third extended deadline nears its end, according to Shiva Khanal, information officer for the project’s eastern section.
The contract for the road expansion project was signed on February 7, 2019, with China State Construction Engineering Corporation starting construction with a target completion date of August 7, 2022. However, repeated delays led to deadline extensions—first to July 23, 2024, and then again to July 23, 2025.
As the latest deadline nears, the project has achieved 69 percent physical completion. A proposal for a fourth extension is now underway, with the contractor requesting an additional 576 days. However, the project office is planning to grant only one more year for completion.
The 113-kilometer highway is divided into two segments, and progress is more visible in the Narayangadh–Dumkibas stretch. About 55 kilometers of this section are now operational with blacktopped roads. Only minor parts of the road in Chormara, Arun Khola, and Dumkibas remain incomplete.
A major issue along the highway was the collapse of the bridge over Vinayi Khola in Dumkibas last winter, forcing vehicles to use a diversion route. This caused recurring problems, especially during the monsoon, when floods frequently damaged the makeshift routes.
A new bridge has now been constructed beside the collapsed one and is expected to open for traffic within a few days. If weather conditions permit, blacktopping will be completed by Wednesday, with plans to fully open the bridge by Saturday. Once operational, the bridge is expected to significantly ease travel and end the recurring hardship faced by passengers and drivers.
However, the construction of long-span bridges over Arun Khola and Giruwari Khola in Nawalpur has been postponed until after the monsoon. Minor construction works are ongoing, but no major bridge-building will occur during the rainy season.
The Dauunne section of the highway continues to pose challenges during rainfall, with slippery roads and frequent traffic jams. The project has now shifted its focus to maintenance rather than new construction in this area.
Khanal said that culvert construction and other new works have been paused, and the team will prioritize regular maintenance and graveling to ensure smooth traffic flow even during rain.
The entire project, funded through a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has a total budget of Rs 16.99 billion. Of the 113 km highway, 70 km will be four-lane, 29 km will have four lanes with 6-meter service lanes on both sides, and the Dauunne stretch will have a three-lane configuration across 14 km.
Although the project is now making visible progress, the delay in completion has caused prolonged inconvenience to travelers. While sections of the highway are improving, the Dauunne stretch remains a major bottleneck, often leading to hours-long traffic jams even during light rain.
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