JICA's Technical Team Inspects Disaster-hit BP Highway

A technical team of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has started inspecting the disaster-hit BP Highway for its reconstruction. 

Floods and landslides triggered by the three-day incessant rain in the last week of September have damaged several sections of the 158-km highway.

The highway, which connects the eastern part of the country with Kathmandu, the federal capital, was constructed with the financial assistance of JICA.

The technical team recently made on-site visits to the damaged sections for three days, reported RSS, the state-owned news agency, citing the Road Division Office, Bhaktapur.

Read: Lack of Damage Details Delays Rehabilitation Efforts

The division has been waiting for the JICA's decision for the reconstruction of the highway. “JICA is expected to present its report by the first week of December,” Suman Yogesh, the chief of the division, told RSS. "We will spring into reconstruction once the JICA comes up with a decision.”

Yogesh added that the Road Division, Bhaktapur will start the reconstruction process on its own within two months if JICA won’t carry out the reconstruction, which is estimated to cost Rs 7 billion.

Read: Insurance Claims Worth Rs 9.54 billion Made for Damage Caused by Rain-Induced Disasters

Meanwhile, the Government of Nepal is also preparing to rebuild BP Highway which also provides an alternative link to Kathmandu and the eastern Tarai.

On October 16, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, Kikuta Yutaka, had discussed JICA's support for the reconstruction of the Highway during a courtesy meeting.

Read: Climate Finance, Mountain Agenda Nepal’s Top Priorities at COP29: Officials

 RSS