BP Highway to Remain Close at Night to Avert Monsoon Disasters

Vehicular movement along the BP Highway will be suspended at night for 15 days starting Saturday, June 21, in a bid to reduce the risk of monsoon-related disasters such as floods and landslides. 

Both public and private vehicles will be barred from operating between 6:30 PM and 5:00 AM each day.

A meeting of the inter–district coordination committee, which included security officials from Kavrepalanchok, Sindhuli and Ramechhap districts– made the decision Friday.

Kavrepalanchok Chief District Officer Umesh Dhakal told the state-owned RSS news agency that vehicles heading from Kathmandu will be stopped at Kavre Bhanjyang, while those travelling towards the federal capital will be halted at Khurkot in Sindhuli.

Read: JICA's Technical Team Inspects Disaster-hit BP Highway

Heavy rainfall in late September last year triggered landslides and flash floods that severely damaged multiple sections of the highway, particularly the stretch between Chowkidanda (Kavrepalanchok) and Barkhekholas (Sindhuli).

The Bhaktapur Division Road Office reported that the highway’s third and fourth segments—34 km from Khurkot to Nepalthok, and 50 km from Nepalthok to Dhulikhel—sustained the most damage.

With no permanent reconstruction completed, traffic has been operating on makeshift diversions opened along damaged sections.

Read: Government to Invite Rs 8.5 Billion Bids for Reconstruction of BP Highway

Despite these challenges, thousands of vehicles continue to use the 160-km BP Highway. The route serves as a vital, shorter link between Kathmandu and Eastern Nepal.

The Road Division Office stated that tender processes are currently underway for permanent reconstruction, divided into four contract packages.

(With inputs from RSS)