Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: In a bid to restore a key national lifeline disrupted by recent floods and landslides, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Kul Man Ghising on Tuesday conducted an on-site inspection of the BP Highway, accompanied by Ministry Secretary Keshav Sharma and Department of Roads Director General Bijay Jaisi.
During the inspection of severely affected areas such as Chaukidanda and its adjoining sections, Minister Ghising directed concerned officials and contractors to immediately expedite repair works to resume vehicular movement between the capital Kathmandu and the Bagmati, Madhesh, and Koshi Provinces.
The BP Highway, one of Nepal’s most vital road corridors, has been severely damaged by floods, with around four kilometers of roadway completely washed away. Authorities have now begun constructing a temporary diversion to reopen the route for emergency and public transport in the coming days.
Minister Ghising emphasized that reopening the highway was an urgent national priority, given its role as a major economic and social lifeline connecting the eastern and southern regions with the capital. “We must ensure the highway is reopened as soon as possible while maintaining safety and quality standards,” he instructed officials during the inspection.
According to the Department of Roads, last year’s floods had also caused significant destruction along the Bhakunde–Nepalthok section of the BP Highway. Temporary diversions were built at that time to maintain traffic, but this year’s heavy monsoon again swept away approximately 4 kilometers of the road, leaving several districts cut off.
Officials confirmed that permanent reconstruction contracts have already been awarded for several sections damaged last year, while final agreements for remaining portions are now in the concluding phase. Once completed, the BP Highway will undergo permanent rehabilitation to better withstand future disasters.
The ministry has also mobilized additional manpower, machinery, and coordination teams to accelerate recovery efforts, as the disruption has affected the flow of essential goods and transportation between the provinces and the federal capital.
The government aims to partially reopen the highway soon through the new temporary diversion, ensuring at least one-way traffic until full reconstruction work begins after the monsoon.
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