KATHMANDU: The government has allocated a budget for the reconstruction of 26 roads and bridges damaged by floods and landslides. According to the Department of Roads, a total budget of Rs 18 billion 88 crore has been secured for the reconstruction of these roads and bridges.
Last Sunday, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport requested a budget of Rs 18 billion 88 crore from the Ministry of Finance for the reconstruction of 13 roads and 13 bridges. Following this request, the Ministry of Finance approved the funding source on Tuesday, as confirmed by Information Officer Amit Kumar Sharma of the Department of Roads. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Vishnu Prasad Poudel made the decision to allocate the necessary funds, paving the way for permanent reconstruction efforts.
Information Officer Sharma stated that with the allocation of funds, the reconstruction of damaged roads and bridges will now proceed swiftly. He added that the process for initiating construction work on these projects will begin soon.
Budget Allocation Breakdown
Sharma elaborated that out of the total budget, Rs 16 billion 98 crore has been allocated for the reconstruction of highways damaged by floods and landslides, while Rs 1 billion 90 crore 10 lakh has been set aside for bridge reconstruction. Specifically:
For highways, Rs 15 billion 83 crore 10 lakh has been allocated for main roads, and Rs 1 billion 15 crore has been earmarked for alternative routes.
For bridges, Rs 1 billion 90 crore 10 lakh has been allocated for reconstruction.
The Department of Roads has identified the BP Highway as the most severely affected road, where temporary measures have been implemented to allow vehicle movement. However, despite the monsoon season approaching, permanent reconstruction work has yet to begin. Temporary repairs are currently underway.
Focus on BP Highway
The largest share of the budget—Rs 8 billion 50 crore—has been allocated for the BP Highway. This includes:
Rs 7 billion 50 crore for the Bhaktapur section.
Rs 1 billion for the Khurkot section.
The Kavre-Bhanjyang-Nepalthok stretch of the highway, spanning 12 kilometers, was heavily damaged by floods and landslides. Of this, 8.7 kilometers were washed away by the Roshi River. Significant damage has also been reported on the Chaukidanda-Mulkot stretch, with the most severe destruction occurring between Chaukidanda and Nepalthok. While the Sindhuwa section suffered less damage, the Kavre section bore the brunt of the destruction.
Other Major Projects
Mechi Highway: Rs 60 crore has been allocated for its reconstruction, with Rs 12 crore earmarked for the current fiscal year. Of this, Rs 1 crore 50 lakh has been allocated for temporary repairs.
Khurkot-Milte Road: A total of Rs 40 crore has been allocated for reconstruction, including Rs 8 crore for the current fiscal year and Rs 1 crore for temporary repairs.
Bridge Reconstruction: Rs 1 billion 90 crore 10 lakh has been allocated for the reconstruction of flood-damaged bridges. The Foksingtar Bridge connecting Udayapur and Khotang districts has received the largest allocation, with Rs 35 crore dedicated to its reconstruction. For the current fiscal year, Rs 3 crore 50 lakh has been allocated. After the bridge collapsed, the government constructed a Bailey Bridge at a cost of Rs 2 crore.
Other bridges receiving funding include:
Larcha Bridge: Rs 25 crore (Rs 2 crore 25 lakh allocated for the current fiscal year).
Liping Bridge: Rs 10 crore.
Hewa Khola Permanent Bridge: Rs 25 crore.
Hewa Khola Bailey Bridge: Rs 5 crore.
Sunkoshi Khairani Tar Bridge: Rs 25 crore.
Bagmati Baguwa RCC Bridge: Rs 18 crore.
Bagmati Baguwa Bailey Bridge: Rs 6 crore.
Puwa Khola RCC Bridge: Rs 17 crore 70 lakh.
Puwa Khola Bailey Bridge: Rs 3 crore 70 lakh.
Additionally:
Jogbani Khola Bailey Bridge: Rs 2 crore 70 lakh.
Khurkot Bridge Reconstruction: Rs 15 crore.
Alternative Routes
The government has allocated Rs 1 billion 15 crore for the reconstruction of three alternative roads:
Bhakunde-Besi-Timal-Sinduretar Road (Kavre): Rs 45 crore.
Kirnetar-Jafe Road (Dolakha): Rs 45 crore.
Thankot-Chitlang Road: Rs 25 crore.
International Support
Deputy Director General and Spokesperson of the Department of Roads, Arjun Prasad Aryal, stated that reconstruction work on damaged roads and bridges will commence soon. Japan has expressed willingness to assist in these efforts, though no formal decision has been reached yet. “We hope Japan will extend its support,” Aryal said.
With the budget now secured, the government aims to expedite the reconstruction of critical infrastructure damaged by natural disasters, ensuring safer and more resilient transportation networks for the future.