KATHMANDU: A study by Nepal Rastra Bank shows that Nepal has achieved significant expansion in road infrastructure over the past 12 years, including large-scale blacktopping, gravelling, and new track construction under the Road Department.
According to the study, a total of 9,750 kilometers of roads were blacktopped across the country during this period. In addition, 7,669 kilometers of roads were upgraded to gravel standard, while 6,180 kilometers of new road tracks were opened. Over the same period, 1,687 bridges were constructed nationwide to strengthen connectivity across the road network.
The highest annual blacktopping was recorded in fiscal year 2081/82 BS, when 1,235 kilometers of roads were blacktopped. The second-highest was in 2076/77 BS, with 1,059 kilometers completed.
In terms of gravel road construction, the peak output occurred in fiscal year 2074/75 BS, when 1,313 kilometers were upgraded. Meanwhile, the highest expansion of new road tracks was recorded in 2070/71 BS, with 1,980 kilometers opened—significantly higher than in recent years.
Bridge construction also showed strong progress, with a total of 1,687 bridges completed over 12 years. The highest annual output was 290 bridges in fiscal year 2076/77 BS.
For the fiscal year 2082/83 BS, the half-yearly progress report up to mid-Poush shows that 159 kilometers of road blacktopping have been completed, which is 17.50 percent of the annual target of 908 kilometers. Similarly, 32 kilometers of gravel roads have been completed, achieving 62.14 percent of the 51.5-kilometer target.
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