Decades-long construction of Saljhandi-Sandhikharka-Dhorpatan road remains incomplete

Butwal. Nearly two decades after the start of the Saljhandi-Sandhikharka-Dhorpatan road project, more than half of the work remains unfinished. While the track opening, which began in 2065 BS, is complete, the expansion, upgrading, and blacktopping are progressing at a sluggish pace.

In 18 years, only 44 percent of the project has been completed. Project Chief Engineer Gagal Bahadur Bhandari told Ratopati that 56 percent of the work remains due to the government's inability to allocate sufficient annual budgets. The estimated cost, initially projected at 10 billion rupees, is now expected to reach approximately 13 billion rupees.

Bhandari asserts that the primary reason for the cost escalation is the lack of timely budget allocation. He noted that while over one billion rupees is required annually, only 300 to 350 million is typically allocated. Given this trend, the project's completion remains a distant prospect.

• Budget status over the last five years:

According to official records, in the fiscal year 2074/75, 228.1 million rupees were allocated, with revised expenditures reaching 369.3 million. In 2075/76, 230.6 million was allocated, with 221.2 million spent. In 2076/77, 253.8 million was allocated, but only 162.9 million was utilized.

Information Officer Engineer Pariksha Paudel stated that in 2077/78, 179.9 million was allocated, with revised spending of 223.9 million. In 2078/79, 359.4 million was allocated, with 406.6 million spent. In 2079/80, 409.6 million was allocated, with 538.8 million spent.

In 2080/81, only 190 million was allocated, but revised spending reached 508.8 million. In 2081/82, 462.9 million was allocated, with revised spending hitting 967.5 million. For the current fiscal year (2082/83), 404.9 million was allocated, with an estimated expenditure of 460 million, Paudel added.

• Progress and current status:

The total length of the road is 197 kilometers. To date, only 36 kilometers have been blacktopped: 5 km in Rupandehi, 4 km in Palpa, and approximately 27 km in Arghakhanchi. Seven bridges have been completed, while two—the Dobhan (Dobal) Khola bridge in Arghakhanchi and the Baulabhashe bridge in Baglung—remain under construction.

The project aims to blacktop an additional 20 kilometers this fiscal year. Several contracts are currently active, including work in Palpa, Arghakhanchi, and Gulmi. Recently, the contract for the 13-kilometer section from Saljhandi to Khursane was terminated due to the contractor's failure to perform.

• Tourism corridor connecting Lumbini and Dhorpatan:

Once completed, this road will facilitate travel between Lumbini and the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, significantly boosting tourism. It will connect four districts in Lumbini Province and one in Gandaki Province to the Terai region. Business leaders in Butwal and Rupandehi expect the road to revitalize the regional economy and increase tourist traffic across the hilly districts.