Progress Update on Six-Lane Expansion of Arniko Highway Section

The six-lane expansion of the Arniko Highway, from Suryabinayak in Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel in Kavrepalanchok, is currently underway. The Suryabinayak-Dhulikhel, Dhulikhel-Sindhuli-Bardibas Road Project reported that the 16-kilometer expansion, which began three years ago, has achieved 67 percent physical progress.

The project authority stated that the work will be completed within the extended timeframe. The highway, previously two lanes, is being expanded to six lanes, with the construction of two service lanes and a 2.5-meter footpath on both sides. After the initial deadline expired, the deadline was extended for another year in the last week of Mangsir.

The road expansion was divided into two sections for contracting: Suryabinayak to Sanga, and Sanga to Dhulikhel.

For the Sanga-Dhulikhel road section, spanning eight kilometers, the agreement was signed on B.S. 2079 Mangsir 27, and the deadline expired on Mangsir 25 of last year. Lama Construction Pvt. Ltd. secured the contract for this work at a cost of four billion five crore sixty-four lakh rupees. The road project indicated that only 60 percent of the work was completed within that period. According to Rabindra Shrestha, the construction manager, overall progress is at 65 percent, with 90 percent physical progress achieved excluding paving.

In the second section, the Suryabinayak-Sanga stretch, 55 percent of the work has reportedly been completed. Following a dispute with locals over the 'center line' issue which halted work for a year and a half, upgrading work resumed in the Palubazar area of this section in the third week of Mangsir last year. According to the project, demolition of roads and other structures is ongoing in some parts of the Suryabinayak-Sanga section. Engineer Bishnu Prasad Khanal of the project stated that work is progressing rapidly in areas including Janagal, Baasghari-Budol, Sanga-Bhaisepati, and Banepa Bazaar.

The contract for the 7.5-kilometer expansion of the Suryabinayak-Sanga section was awarded for Rs 3.88 billion and 93 lakh. The deadline for this section also expired last Poush, and an extension has been granted. Currently, retaining walls, drain construction, and culvert construction are being carried out on both sides of the road. Work is slightly complicated in the Sanga area due to a large curve and cliff face encountered during road construction.

Senior Divisional Engineer Anju Pariyar, the project's information officer, provided details regarding the three bridges on this road section, noting that one is under construction at Mahadev Khola. According to her, the design for the other two bridges was delayed because locals and elected representatives raised various demands, causing obstruction during the initial design phase. She added that these issues have now been resolved, the designs are complete, and bridge construction is being prepared soon.

Vehicle traffic on this highway has increased following the opening of the Tatopani border point in Sindhupalchok, which serves as a shorter route to China. Currently, more than 2,500 public and private vehicles operate daily from Koteshwor along this highway.