Road construction in Daunne causing difficulties for commuters

BY BOM LAL GIRI,Nawalpur, Apr. 6: Recently, work on the Narayanghat–Butwal road section has gained momentum. According to the road project, out of the 64 kilometres of the eastern section, 50 kilometres has already been blacktopped on one side. Since road expansion began in the Daunne section, travel has become extremely difficult.

In the Daunne area, the construction company has been working in ways that suit their convenience rather than prioritising ease for travelers, which has caused significant discomfort to commuters.

Commuters complained that while it used to take 2 to 4 hours to cross the 14-kilometre Daunne stretch under normal conditions, in recent days, it has been taking 8 to 10 hours.

The journey through Daunne has become difficult due to large potholes in various places, dusty roads as deep as two feet and one-way traffic management in most areas due to culvert construction. As a result, crossing Daunne has become extremely challenging for travelers.

Sandip Thapa, who was traveling from Butwal to Narayanghat by motorcycle, said it took him 8 hours to reach Kawasoti. Similarly, Ram Prasad Shrestha, who traveled from Kawasoti to Butwal, said he was stuck in traffic for 18 hours in total, 9 hours while going and 9 while returning.

Locals have said that due to dust and smoke, it has become difficult to even see the road, and the dust has been a major source of trouble. According to Janak Banjara, the chief of the Nawalpur Traffic Office, since roadblocks have become a regular occurrence and traffic is allowed to move in one direction at a time, traffic police have had to be deployed 24/7 in Daunne. 

"Due to construction, traffic is being managed one-way in four to five places. And if a vehicle breaks down, crossing Daunne becomes almost impossible," said Inspector Banjara.

During the ongoing road expansion, activities like hill cutting and culvert construction cause daily traffic jams. Even a single-vehicle breakdown on this narrow road leads to severe congestion, creating hardship for travelers.

According to the government's revised deadline, the entire 114-kilometre stretch, including Daunne, must be blacktopped on one side by mid-April. 

This road project has been divided into two sections for contracting. Out of the 114 kilometres, 70 kilometres will be six-lane, 29 kilometres four-lane, with 6-meter-wide service lanes on both sides. The Daunne section will have a 14-kilometre three-lane road. In addition, 64 bridges and 462 culverts and other structures are to be constructed.