Reconstruction of BP Highway to Be Completed Within Two Years

The reconstruction of the flood-and landslide-damaged BP Highway is set to be completed within the next two years, with works gaining momentum across multiple sections, according to the Division Road Office, Bhaktapur.

The office said reconstruction works, which began about two months ago, are currently underway at three locations in Kavrepalanchok and Sindhuli districts. The BP Highway is considered the shortest road link connecting eastern and mid-hill regions with the federal capital, Kathmandu.

Senior Divisional Engineer Suman Yogesh said three construction companies are currently working simultaneously on different sections of the flood-hit highway. However, reconstruction of one section to be undertaken with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has yet to begin. “JICA is carrying out additional studies and has informed us that construction will start shortly,” he said.

Yogesh said reconstruction is focused on locations damaged by floods during the past two monsoon seasons. Works include rebuilding damaged road sections, constructing retaining walls, and widening the road at several stretches, including Dalabesi, Mangaltar, Charsayabesi and Narke.

According to the Division Road Office, locations where the road was completely washed away are being rebuilt with designs intended to reduce future flood damage. The office aims to complete protective structures at flood-damaged sites by mid-May, enabling traffic to operate along the original alignment without having to divert to riverbanks during the upcoming monsoon season.

This year’s work includes reconstruction and road widening, while remaining sections will be completed next year, followed by blacktopping.

Floods and landslides over the past two years damaged nearly 30 km of the BP Highway in Kavrepalanchok and Sindhuli. Since last year, vehicles had been using temporary diversions in damaged sections until permanent reconstruction began.

As part of the reconstruction, the highway will be upgraded to a two-lane road. Yogesh said additional bridges will be built alongside existing ones to allow two-lane traffic, with studies underway to upgrade five bridges.

The 8.5-km Dalabesi–Charsayabesi section is being reconstructed by Khani–Avon–Kamaljeet JV under a contract worth Rs 1.42 billion (including VAT). The 11.08-km Charsayabesi–Bhakundebesi section has been awarded to Lama–Navakantipur JV for Rs 1.33 billion, while the 4.9-km Nepalathok–Barkhekhola section is being reconstructed by Kharidhunga–Ghising–Kshitij JV for Rs 610 million.

Out of the total 29.5 km of damaged road, the 3.2-km Barkhekhola–Piple section will be reconstructed with JICA support. Yogesh said Japan has already signed an agreement to provide a grant of Rs 2.63 billion for this section, and the contracting process is underway. All other sections were awarded by the government before mid-September last year.

The government has approved Rs 8.5 billion for reconstruction of the damaged highway, allocating Rs 7.5 billion for three sections in Kavrepalanchok and Rs 1 billion for one section in Sindhuli.

The 160-km BP Highway (Dhulikhel–Sindhuli–Bardibas) was constructed with Japanese grant assistance starting in fiscal year 1996/97 and was formally handed over to the Government of Nepal on July 3, 2015. The highway serves as a key short route linking Kathmandu with the mid-hill and eastern regions of the country. – RSS