Narayanghat-Butwal Road Upgrade Achieves 76 Percent Progress as Deadline Nears

The upgrading of the eastern section of the strategic Narayanghat–Butwal road under the East–West Highway—one of Nepal’s busiest national corridors—has achieved 76 percent physical progress across its 65-kilometre stretch as the extended deadline approaches its expiry date.

The delay in completion of the road has caused problems to commuters and also hit the tourism sector as the vital road links the federal capital with Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

According to the local traffic authorities, the Daunne section of the Butwal–Narayanghat road was obstructed 63 times in the last fiscal year. This segment, located in Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality-2 of Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), remained partially or completely blocked between July 17, 2024, and July 16, 2025, especially during the rainy season.

The project’s Information Officer Shiva Khanal said construction activities have accelerated in recent months as the project races to meet its revised completion timeline. The government in August extended the deadline for the fourth time, requiring the four-lane expansion to be completed by August 23, 2026.

According to Khanal, work is underway intensively across all major sections. Blacktopping remains incomplete at the Jayashree Bridge in Gaindakot, the Arunkhola Bridge, the Dumkibas Bridge and the Chormara Bridge, while most blacktopping from Gaindakot to Daunne has already been finished. Remaining stretches are being paved at a rapid pace, officials said.

Meanwhile, culvert construction in the Daunne area has entered its final phase and is expected to be completed within four and a half months.

Of the total 114-kilometre stretch, the eastern section (Gaindakot–Daunne) is 65 kilometres long and estimated to cost Rs 9.13 billion, while the 49-km western section (Daunne–Butwal) requiring Rs 7.86 billion, bringing the total project cost to Rs 16.99 billion--funded by an Asian Development Bank's loan. – With inputs from RSS