Government to Build Underpass and Overpass at Satdobato and Ekantakuna

Kathmandu. To manage the increasing traffic pressure in the valley in the long term, the government has moved forward with the process of constructing underpasses and overpasses at two more major locations on the ring road. Preparations are underway to start the construction of grade-separated road structures at Satdobato and Ekantakuna intersections in Lalitpur, which have been in discussion for a long time, from the upcoming fiscal year (2083/084).

According to Shyam Bahadur Khadka, spokesperson for the Department of Roads, the overpass and underpass will be constructed by the Quality Research and Development Center. The center has previously constructed an overpass at Gwarko.

The government had announced the construction of overpasses or flyovers at Gwarko, Satdobato, and Ekantakuna in its budget speech for the fiscal year 2079/080. However, only an overpass was constructed at Gwarko.

Although studies for the other two locations were completed five years ago, construction had not started. The government has allocated a budget of 12 crore 46 lakh rupees for the construction of overpasses and underpasses at both these locations in the upcoming fiscal year.

The Quality Research and Development Center under the Department of Roads has stated that an overpass will be constructed at Ekantakuna and an underpass at Satdobato intersection within the upcoming fiscal year.

Underpass and Grade Separated Road to be Built at Satdobato Intersection

The center has stated that studies have been conducted to construct a grade-separated (underpass and overpass) road structure at Satdobato intersection, which has been chaotic due to traffic jams. According to the center, this plan has been put forward to manage the traffic at Satdobato and Chapagaon Dobato intersections.

According to the detailed report prepared by the consulting company, the estimated cost for this project is 72 crore 79 lakh 36 thousand 121 rupees (including VAT, contingency fund, and other expenses). This is a cost estimate from five years ago. The project has indicated that the cost may increase further due to the rise in petroleum prices and dollar exchange rates in the international market.

Various technical works will be carried out at Satdobato and Chapagaon Dobato intersections under the project. According to the report, the main attraction of this project is the plan to construct a 540.78-meter-long underpass. Various types of pile walls and plum retaining walls will be used in this.

Regarding the bridge structure, plans include constructing integral bridges with a short span of 17.65 meters (Chapagaon Dobato) and 17.8 meters (Satdobato), and a long span of 11.0 meters (Chapagaon Dobato). The total width of the bridge will be 21 meters, and it will be constructed using box structure technology, as mentioned in the report.

The construction work has been designed considering pedestrian traffic, vehicle load, and seismic risks. It is mentioned that M20/40 grade concrete should be used for the foundation and M30/20 grade concrete for the pile, pile cap, and the main structure of the bridge.

Underpass and Sky Bridge at Ekantakuna

There is a plan to construct an underpass and an overhead bridge (sky bridge) at Ekantakuna intersection, and studies have been conducted for this. The detailed study and design of this project have been completed with the technical support and supervision of the Quality, Research and Development Center under the Department of Roads.

According to the detailed study report, the total cost of the project for constructing the grade-separated road structure is estimated to be approximately 61 crore 41 lakh 13 thousand 86 rupees. This includes value-added tax, contingency (unforeseen expenses), and price adjustment amounts. However, the center states that the cost may increase as the study was prepared five years ago.

The topographical survey, traffic study, soil testing, and detailed design for this project were carried out by the consulting company GeoCom-BDA-Rej JV.

According to the study report, an underpass and an integral bridge will be constructed at the Narkhu/Bhanimandal intersection under this project. A 300-meter-long underpass will be constructed at this location. Pile walls and plum retaining walls are provided on both sides for the safety of the underpass. Additionally, a box structure type integral bridge with a width of 11 meters and a span of 21.7 meters will be constructed.

To reduce traffic congestion at Ekantakuna intersection, a 36.3-meter-long T-beam technology sky bridge will be constructed. The width of the bridge will be 16.4 meters. Ramps totaling 455.30 meters, including 175 meters on the left and 280.3 meters on the right, will also be constructed for easy access to this bridge.

RCC pile foundation technology will be adopted for the foundation construction of these structures. The project design emphasizes the construction of strong and long-lasting structures, considering pedestrian load, vehicle load, and seismic risks. It is mentioned in the report that RCC grades as per the specified standards will be used from the foundation to the superstructure.

When Will Construction Begin?

The center has stated that the construction of underpasses and overpasses at both these locations will begin within the upcoming fiscal year. According to Engineer Bikash Lage of the center, this project has been studied by the center. He also mentioned that construction will start soon as the government has already allocated the budget for the upcoming fiscal year and the study work is also completed.

Engineer Lage stated that some changes may occur with time as the study and design were done five years ago.

Since the work cannot be completed in one year, preparations are being made to proceed with the work by obtaining multi-year source approval from the Ministry of Finance. He stated that the project will be advanced with the aim of completing the construction in 3-4 years. He mentioned that although the cost was estimated at approximately one and a half billion based on the detailed study conducted five years ago, some changes may occur.