KAVRE: The upgrade of the Dhulikhel-Khawa road section along the Araniko Highway, which had been stalled for the past three years, is finally set to resume.
The Road Division Office, Bhaktapur, has invited bids for the construction of the four-kilometer stretch after terminating the previous contract due to the contractor’s negligence.
Senior Divisional Engineer Suman Yogesh said the bidding process aims to start construction early in the current fiscal year. The new contract will cover a 14-month completion period, with a budget of Rs 420 million.
He noted that blacktopping should be completed by Falgun in the first phase, with remaining works finalized within the stipulated timeline. Regular monitoring will be conducted to ensure progress.
“The delay caused hardship for locals and drew criticism,” said Kavrepalanchok MP Gokul Prasad Baskota. He added that public pressure led to the cancellation of the earlier contract and the call for new bids to ease public inconvenience.
The Dhulikhel-Khawa section serves as a crucial route connecting Nepal to the Tatopani border with China and linking neighboring districts like Dolakha and Ramechhap.
Prolonged construction delays have created difficulties for travelers and raised the risk of traffic congestion and accidents, said engineer Yogesh.
So far, only hill-cutting work has been completed between Dhulikhel Bus Park and the zipline area, along with some drainage and retaining wall installations.
Roughly one kilometer of road cutting remains between the zipline and Khawa. While base and sub-base works began in Jestha, heavy rainfall has repeatedly washed away the progress.
To offer temporary relief, potholes have been filled to facilitate smoother vehicle movement. According to Yogesh, actual construction is expected to begin by the last week of Bhadra or early Asoj, once the contract process is finalized.
The road will be widened to 12 meters and blacktopped using DBM and asphalt technology. A 20-centimeter-thick cement-stabilized base will first be laid over gravel before the final surfacing. Yogesh expressed confidence that the upgrade will significantly reduce accident risks and improve travel conditions.
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