Shisuwa-Khudikhola model road completed in Pokhara

By Phadindra Adhikari

Lekhnath, Apr. 24: A model road has been constructed from Shisuwa-30 to Khudikhola-32 in Pokhara Metropolitan City, Kaski.

The 4.14-kilometre road was built at a cost of Rs. 341.12 million by Ashish Nirman Sewa.

The first section of the Shisuwa-Sisaghat road was inaugurated on Thursday by Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City Dhanraj Acharya. The project was implemented under the coordination of the Ministry of Urban Development and the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, with financial support from the World Bank.

Mayor Acharya said that sustainable, standard roads were being constructed in Pokhara with the support of international development partners.

“Three roads are being built in Pokhara with the support of the World Bank,” he said, adding that the road, built to international standards, will serve as an alternative route connecting Tanahun and Lamjung.

He also said that the city had requested further support from the World Bank to extend and upgrade the road up to Lamjung.

According to him, projects worth around Rs. 28 billion are currently under implementation in Pokhara with the support of various development partners.

Engineer Navin Gautam of Pokhara Metropolitan City said the road is 15 metres wide and includes 1.5-metre cycle lanes and footpaths on both sides. The road is also disability-friendly and has provisions for street lighting, drinking water and electricity poles.

Three road sections in Pokhara are being upgraded with an investment of around Rs. 3.5 billion from the World Bank.

Another road under the project, the Kalikasthan-Puditar-Lameaahal section, spans 12.44 kilometres. Although its estimated cost is Rs. 1.08 billion, the contract was awarded to Ashish Nirman Sewa for Rs. 776.89 million. The project has reached 90 per cent completion and is expected to be finished within this month.

Similarly, the upgradation of the Talchowk-Begnas road section has also gained momentum. The project, initially estimated at Rs. 1.49 billion, was contracted at Rs. 754.8 million (excluding VAT). 

The road, designed as a model road with footpaths, cycle lanes and parking facilities, has achieved 72 per cent progress so far. As the deadlines for both under-construction roads expired in March, the process of extending the timelines is currently under way.