Nagdhunga–Mugling Highway upgrade gains momentum as 27 KM of Naubise–Malekhu section completed

KATHMANDU: Construction of the Nagdhunga–Mugling Highway Expansion Project, one of Nepal’s most strategically important road infrastructure projects connecting Kathmandu with the country’s major trade and transport corridors, has gathered pace, with 27 kilometers of road works completed on the Naubise–Malekhu section.

Project officials said 25 kilometers have been asphalted while an additional 2 kilometers have been completed using rigid concrete pavement, representing significant progress in the 43-kilometer section despite earlier disruptions caused by shortages of construction materials.

According to Keshav Ojha, Chief of the Nagdhunga–Mugling Road Project (Eastern Section), the overall physical progress of the Naubise–Malekhu package has now reached 60 percent.

The project had originally targeted 75 percent physical progress during the current fiscal year. However, construction slowed after an international shortage of bitumen, the primary material used in asphalt paving, affected supply chains.

Officials attributed the shortage to geopolitical tensions in US, Isreal-Iran war, which disrupted international supplies. Ojha said the situation has now improved following facilitation by Nepal’s Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, allowing construction work to accelerate once again.

“The supply of bitumen has become smoother, and construction activities have regained momentum,” Ojha said.

The first package of the highway project, covering the Nagdhunga–Naubise section, has already achieved around 88 percent physical progress, bringing that segment close to completion.

For the second package, which stretches from Naubise to Malekhu, project officials said 2.5 kilometers of the completed asphalt section consists of a two-lane carriageway, while the remaining 22.5 kilometers have been paved across the road’s full design width.

“We have already completed asphalt paving on 25 kilometers out of the 43-kilometer section, while another 2 kilometers have been constructed using rigid pavement. Subject to favorable weather conditions, we aim to complete additional works before the monsoon intensifies,” Ojha said.

Contractor Targets Additional Six Kilometers

The construction contractor is now aiming to pave another six kilometers within the coming days if weather conditions remain favorable.

Project Manager Gyanendra Ghimire said work has accelerated since bitumen supplies normalized, with an additional 3.3 kilometers of asphalt paving completed on the Naubise–Malekhu section after material availability improved.

“So far, we have completed 27 kilometers of work, including 25 kilometers of asphalt and 2 kilometers of concrete pavement. Our objective is to continue construction without interruption as long as weather conditions permit,” Ghimire said.

He noted that although material availability has improved, continuous rainfall has prevented construction crews from working throughout the day.

“Weather remains the biggest challenge. We have not been able to work continuously from morning until evening because of frequent rain,” he added.

Daily Paving Capacity Reaches 500 Meters

The contractor is currently capable of paving between 400 and 500 meters of road each day, depending on weather and site conditions.

Despite delays caused by rainfall and earlier supply-chain disruptions, the project has revised its target and now aims to achieve 65 percent physical progress by the end of the current fiscal year.

Project officials said one of the immediate priorities is to re-asphalt previously excavated road sections before the monsoon intensifies, ensuring smoother traffic movement and reducing inconvenience for commuters and freight transport.

Strategic Highway for Nepal’s Economy

The Nagdhunga–Mugling Highway serves as Nepal’s principal road gateway linking Kathmandu Valley with the East-West Highway, major industrial centers, border trade routes with India, and key tourism destinations. It carries thousands of passenger vehicles and freight trucks every day, making it one of the country’s busiest and most economically significant highways.

The ongoing expansion is expected to improve road safety, reduce travel times, ease congestion, lower vehicle operating costs, and strengthen supply chains that are vital for Nepal’s trade, logistics, tourism, and overall economic growth.