Diversion work to restore BP Highway before Dashain going on swiftly

By Kedar Timalsina,Banepa, Oct. 9: Works are underway to open an alternative track to restore the BP Highway, which was damaged by the flooding in the Roshi River. 

The Division Road Office, Bhaktapur has intensified efforts to restore the blocked road with the goal of completing it before Dashain festival. However, there are widespread concerns about the road being operational before the festival. 

Because of the continuous flow of water in the river with a strong current even after the flood, there have been challenges and delays in the diversion work at the Chaukidanda section of the highway. 

Diversion of the road was carried out because the river encroached on the area, necessitating a change in its course.

Senior Divisional Engineer Suman Yogesh from the Division Road Office, Bhaktapur said that urgent efforts are being made to restore the BP Highway that was blocked after the September 27 and 28 heavy rainfall leading to flooding and landslides in several parts of the country. Yogesh said that work is being carried out from both Kavre and Sindhuli sections.

“Following the diversion work at Chaukidanda, traffic is now operational up to a 31-kilometer stretch from Dhulikhel,” said engineer Yogesh. He said that by Monday night, the diversion work up to Gimdi in Roshi Rural Municipality was completed, and on Tuesday, work was underway from Gimdi towards Narke. 

“Today, work has started towards Narke, and since work is also ongoing in Mangaltar, it is likely that a four-kilometre stretch will be operational. Equipment used for diversion from Sindhuli is currently working in Mamti,” he added.

He said that while the office is trying to ensure traffic flow by diverting the river by Dashain, the possibility remains low. “We are working with the target of completing the diversion up to Narke by Tuesday night. 

If we reach Narke today, we plan to restore the highway within four days. Dashain is approaching, and we have time until tomorrow. Let’s see, we are still trying our best to open the highway for Dashain,” Yogesh said.

The flooding in the Roshi River has caused damage to the BP Highway, with 14 locations along the 21-kilometre stretch from Chaukidanda to the Kavrepalanchok border completely affected. 

According to the office, around eight kilometres stretch of road has been completely damaged by the flood, affecting various sections including 100 metres in the Dapcha River, 200 metres at Chaukidada, 500 metres at Katunje, and various other stretches throughout the highway.