All highways to be fully operational within three days, except BP Highway

Kathmandu, October 4 — The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has announced plans to restore all highways in the country, except for the BP Highway, within three days.

In a meeting of the Infrastructure Development Committee under the House of Representatives on October 4, Secretary Keshav Kumar Sharma highlighted the severe rainfall on September 28 and 29 as the cause of significant damage.

He explained that it would take time to reopen the BP Highway, as 12 kilometers of the road were washed away, complicating the establishment of a temporary route.

Of the 80 affected highways, landslides impacted 805 locations, with clearance operations ongoing at 774 spots.

Five highways remain blocked at 21 points, and rescue efforts are underway for nearly 500 stranded vehicles and around 1,000 drivers and co-drivers on the BP Highway.

The ministry is also exploring alternative routes for transporting goods and expects to open the Kanti Lokpath soon, while repairs are ongoing on roads affected by erosion. Additionally, efforts are being made to restore the Araniko Highway, though challenges remain due to the damaged Liping Bridge.

Labor shortages after the Fulpati festival further complicate repair efforts, and the ministry is installing Bailey bridges where necessary to restore access.