Chakrapath Improvement Project Second Phase to Begin After Festivals

Kathmandu. The second phase of the Kalanki-Basundhara section, an 8.2-kilometer distance under the Kathmandu Chakrapath Improvement Project, is set to begin immediately after the festivals (Dashain-Tihar). Project Chief Ashika Pokharel informed that after the final design approval, the Chinese side will complete the tender process in China and prepare to move forward with the construction work.

According to her, the service lane outside the main express-way under the project is being constructed with Nepali resources. About 80 percent of this work has been completed. Only asphalting remains in some places. 

The Chinese side has already submitted the preliminary design for the construction of the main express-way. Suggestions and comments from the Nepali side have been given on it, and it is currently in the stage of submitting the final design, she said. 'There is no specific date for commencement. We expect it to enter the implementation phase after the monsoon and festivals,' she said.

She expressed confidence that the construction process will move forward quickly as the tender process in China is shorter compared to Nepal. She stated that the project has been delayed due to the time taken for site clearance. She mentioned that the Chinese side could not come for construction as the work of removing houses, trees, and other structures was not completed, and during that time, the project was pushed back by about three to four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent times, necessary paperwork, correspondence, survey, and design-related work have been continuously progressing, she said.

The initial estimated cost of the project was around 12 billion rupees. However, the cost is being re-updated due to inflation and design improvements. She said that the exact cost can only be revealed after receiving the revised cost details along with the final design. She stated that potential complexities in the second phase are being identified and efforts are being made to resolve them in advance. 'We learned about the complexities during the implementation of the first phase. Therefore, we have conducted extensive studies, technical practices, and correspondence in advance to address the weaknesses,' Pokharel said.

According to her, the Chinese side has also committed to completing the construction within the stipulated time. She urged the public to be patient as they will have to face some inconvenience due to the construction.