Vyas, Suklagandaki Municipalities upgrading major roads

BY AMAR RAJ NAHARKI

Tanahun, Aug. 8: Vyas and Shuklagandaki municipalities in Tanahun district are witnessing major road upgrading works under the Urban Governance and Infrastructure Development Programme of the Ministry of Urban Development. Supported by the World Bank, the projects are targeted to be completed within six months of the current fiscal year 2025/26.

In Vyas Municipality, the Parashar Road is being upgraded, while in Shuklagandaki, the Dulegauda-Lamagau road section is undergoing improvements. The works involve asphalt paving, with steep and difficult segments reinforced using RCC, and drainage systems built along both sides of the roads. 

Vyas Mayor Baikuntha Neupane said the project aims to support the town’s transformation into a modern urban hub and to facilitate farmers with easier market access for local products. The upgraded road will connect four wards (7, 9, 10, and 11) through an inner ring road that links Buldi Khola, Beltari, Farakchaur, Adheribhanyang, Kumal Gaun, Samata School, and Kalesti over a stretch of 10.55 km.

The contract for the Vyas road upgrade was signed on April 29, 2025, but delays led to a six-month extension until mid-January, 2026. So far, 18.29 per cent of the work has been completed, according to Senior Division Engineer Dr. Raju Poudel. 

The Rs. 408.3 million project was awarded to BKHTDCL-SPL JV Kalimati, which had won the tender by quoting 23.41 per cent lower than the initial estimate of Rs. 527.8 million.

In Shuklagandaki, the Dulegauda-Lamagau road section has achieved 45 per cent physical progress, and the contractor has pledged to complete the remaining work within next 61 days, informed Shuklagandaki Mayor Krishna Raj Pandit. The municipality signed the road contract on April 7, 2024, to pave 7.1 km stretch for Rs. 273.4 million. The road, sptarting from BP Chowk in Dulegauda, passes through Health Post Chowk, Pulchowk, Ghari, Talbensi, and Malebagar before ending at Lilachok, connecting Ward Nos. 4, 8, 9, and 12. The road will have a 10-metre width, including a 5.5-metre asphalt surface and one-metre drainage on both sides.

Engineer Tarapati Bhattarai said that the previous earthen road turned dusty in winter and muddy during the rainy season, making travel difficult. Once completed, these issues will be resolved.

The Ministry of Urban Development recently held a two-day meeting in Kathmandu with the participating municipalities and donor agencies to review progress and future plans. Both municipalities pointed out delays caused by contractors, but officials said labour resources had been increased to speed up the works.