Govt initiates long-delayed repairs for flood-ravaged highways
KATHMANDU: After a six-month delay, Nepal has finally launched the tender process to repair highways devastated by last year’s floods, including the BP, Kanti, Araniko, Mechi, and Thankot-Chitlang roads. With a 30-day bidding window, the Department of Roads aims to rebuild critical infrastructure before the monsoon, though the slow response has raised concerns about preparedness.
The BP Highway, a lifeline linking eastern Nepal, tops the list with tenders for 28 kilometers across Sindhuli and Kavre, including a JICA-backed section. Funding of NPR 8.5 billion has been allocated, but temporary fixes underway highlight the urgency as the rainy season looms. Similarly, the Kanti Highway, crippled by landslides and a half-destroyed bridge, has secured NPR 2.52 billion for repairs, with tenders covering 35 kilometers in Makwanpur and key landslide zones in Lalitpur. A Bailey bridge at Bagmati is a stopgap, but permanent solutions remain distant.
The Mechi Highway’s Ramite and Hewa Khola sections are progressing, while the Maikhola stretch—prone to accidents—joins the repair list. The Araniko Highway’s 54-kilometer tender excludes landslide zones, leaving gaps in restoration plans, while Thankot-Chitlang’s 3-kilometer upgrade signals modest progress. Collectively, these efforts carry a projected cost of NPR 18.88 billion, with funding requests pending approval.
While the tenders mark a step forward, the six-month lag since October’s floods exposes bureaucratic inertia. With monsoon threats nearing, the rushed timeline—some projects capped at one year—risks shoddy work. Critics question why proactive measures, like bridge reconstruction, remain sidelined, leaving Nepal’s transport network vulnerable yet again.
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