The eastern section of the Muglin–Pokhara road expansion project is nearing completion, while the western section continues to lag behind, raising concerns as the project deadline approaches.

Backed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the project aims to widen the two sections under the Prithvi Highway into a four-lane expressway to ease growing traffic congestion. According to the state-owned national news agency RSS, 85% of the work has been completed on the eastern stretch—from Aanbukhaireni to Jamune—bringing it close to the finish line.

Engineer Bishnu Prasad Pandey told RSS that blacktopping on the eastern section is nearly complete, with only short segments near the Madi Bridge and Bimalnagar remaining. Work in the Damauli Bazaar area is also in its final stages. The deadline for this section, which has already been extended three times, is currently set for June 12. Pandey expressed confidence that the remaining work would be completed within the timeframe.

The contract for the eastern section was signed on January 30, 2021, and construction began on April 15 the same year. China Communication Construction Company is carrying out the work under a contract worth Rs 6.21 billion.

In contrast, only 53% of the construction work has been completed on the western section—from Jamune in Tanahun to the Seti Bridge in Pokhara—with the deadline set for December 31, 2025.

Project Chief Krishna Bahadur Kunwar told RSS that blacktopping has been completed on both lanes of a 24-kilometre stretch and on one lane of another 12.8 kilometres. Only about 3 kilometres of single-lane blacktopping remains, which is expected to be completed by mid-June.

Of the 12 planned bridges in the western section, 10 have been completed, and 92 of 100 culverts are in place. However, delays in relocating 424 electricity poles—especially in areas such as Talchowk to Adarsha Chowk and Dandakonak to Bijaypur—have slowed progress, he added. Authorities have now committed to removing the remaining poles within a week, RSS further reported. If this is achieved, the four-lane stretch from Kotre to the Seti Bridge is expected to be finished by mid-July.

The construction contract for the western section was signed on May 17, 2021, and awarded to Anhui Kuan Highway and Bridge Company for Rs 7.4 billion.

Originally designed in 1969, the Muglin–Pokhara road is being upgraded with ADB support to accommodate increasing traffic and enhance regional connectivity.