Asian Highway Construction Gains Momentum, Linking South Asian Nations

Construction of the 'Asian Highway,' aimed at connecting Asian nations via road networks, has begun to accelerate.

The project information office has stated that over 35 percent of the work has been completed in the two years since construction began on the Kakarbhitta-Laukahi road section.

Work is proceeding in two segments: the Eastern Section and the Western Section. The office located in Damak will oversee the 45 km road section from Kakarbhitta to Sitapur, while the Itahari office will manage the road from Sitapur to Pachruki in the west of Itahari.

The Asian Highway starts in Bangkok, Thailand, and will pass through Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India, entering Nepal at Kakarbhitta. It will proceed via the East-West Highway to Delhi, India, and finally reach Karachi, Pakistan. Construction began on 19 Magh 2080 with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank, under a plan to complete the project in three years. The estimated cost for this project is 300 million US dollars.

A total of 48 bridges, large and small, and 10 overpasses will be built within the road area. Construction is underway for 21 bridges in the Eastern Section, and 92 out of 140 box culverts are currently being constructed.

Photo: Prakash Chand Timilsena/ Nepal Photo Library