Hetauda-Phakhel-Kathmandu road to resume Sunday

Hetauda, October 5 — The Hetauda–Phakhel–Kathmandu road, which has been blocked due to floods and landslides, is set to resume operation from Sunday. Following heavy rainfall on September 27 and 28, the floods and landslides caused significant damage at various locations, leading to the closure of the road.

Physical Infrastructure Development Minister of Bagmati province, Aman Kumar Maskey, informed that preparations are underway to operate the road by diverting traffic at three locations. According to him, diversions are being constructed at the bridge below the Kulekhani Dam, the Mahalaxmi River bridge, and the eroded area of the Mahalaxmi River to allow the road to reopen.

Pushkar Prasad Pokharel, Director of the Transport Infrastructure Directorate of Bagmati Province, mentioned that the process of clearing obstructions on the Phakhel road segment is in the final stages, and the road will be operational from Sunday. “We have discussed that the Phakhel road will open at 1 PM tomorrow. We have prepared the necessary infrastructure for immediate transport operations,” he said, adding, “As long as no major issues arise, vehicles can operate smoothly from Sunday afternoon.”

Director Pokharel indicated that a diversion has been constructed slightly below the damaged access road to the bridge at Kulekhani Dam. He stated that the diversion work would be fully completed by Saturday night. The road has been cleared with necessary repairs and diversions at difficult spots affected by the Mahalaxmi River.

According to Pokharel, some motorcycles have already started operating on the Phakhel road as of Saturday, and vehicles that were stuck are now heading to their destinations. However, he noted that the road leading to Kulekhani Sisneri will require waiting until Monday for operations to resume.

He also mentioned that since it was not possible to immediately construct a road where the floods had washed it away, arrangements are being made to operate vehicles through the river route.