BP Highway Section to Open for Traffic by Mid-July

Kathmandu. Preparations are underway to open the Bhakundebesi-Nepalethok section of the BP Highway for traffic from the roadside by Asar 15 (mid-July), which was damaged by the devastating flood last Asar. The Road Division Bhaktapur is preparing to operate vehicles from the main under-construction road, considering the situation where the diversion from the river will cause problems during the rainy season. 

According to Suman Yogesh, chief of the Road Division Bhaktapur, since the current diversion is being washed away and the road is being obstructed even with normal rainfall, work is being intensified to operate vehicles from the upper part before the rainy season. He stated that their main goal is to operate traffic through permanent structures, not through diversions from the river during the rainy season. According to him, important structures will be completed by the end of Jestha, and vehicles will be running from the side of the main road structure from Asar. 

Uttam Dhungel, a representative of the construction entrepreneurs, said that the target is to open the road by Asar 15 by working day and night. According to him, out of 230 meters in the Baxiguna section, only 70 meters are left. It is being constructed in such a way that vehicles can be operated within the next 4-5 days. He said that although the flood caused damage three times, there is no shortage of materials and manpower at present.

The 29-kilometer road section from Bhakundebesi to Nepalethok, which was completely damaged by the flood on Asar 12 and 13, 2081, has been divided into three parts and contracted. Work is underway in the first section from Bhakundebesi to Charasaybesi, 11.8 km. The physical progress of this section, being worked on by Navakantipur Lama JV, is more than 30 percent.

The second section is Charasaybesi to Dalabesi, 8.5 km. Kamaljeet Evan JV is working on this. Similarly, in the third section, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is constructing from Dalabesi to Barkhekhola, while a Nepali construction company is working on the 4-kilometer section from Barkhekhola to Nepalethok.

Along with reconstruction, this section of the BP Highway is now being upgraded from an 'Intermediate Lane' to a full two-lane standard road. According to Division Chief Yogesh, the width of the road will now be a minimum of 9 meters, with 7 meters for the main two lanes and 1-1 meter paved shoulders on both sides. Although a small traffic volume was estimated in the initial design, the Road Division Bhaktapur has informed that the road is being expanded considering the current needs.