Repair BP Highway Quickly

The BP Highway suffered immense damage due to floods and landslides triggered by incessant downpours in September 2024. Last year's rainfall further damaged the highway, hampering its repair and reconstruction works. Around 30 kilometres of road from Bhankundebeshi to Nepalthok was washed away two years ago. The road was damaged in more than 40 locations, and a diversion was made to allow one-way traffic.  Last Monday, 89 passengers travelling by microbuses were stranded when there was a sudden flood in the Roshi River. The passengers were rescued by security agencies.  The incident shows how vulnerable the commuters are on this route. The timely rescue prevented what could have been a major tragedy.

The highway has been a crucial transport corridor, linking the capital city with the southern plains. Its dilapidated condition has negative implications for the overall economy of the country. This has badly disrupted the supply chain of essential items, including food, vegetables, fruits, medicines and fuels in the valley.

 In this backdrop, government has drawn up a plan to allow vehicles to operate on the sections of the BP Highway even during the monsoon season. The Department of Roads claims that the construction work is ongoing, and till the onset of monsoon, the vehicles will be able to run on the main alignment instead of diversion. However, the general people still feel unsafe, as the condition of roads and the government's decision contradict each other. The Department is working in full coordination with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, and there will be a halt to traffic during the high-risk period

The reconstruction work is ongoing in Katunjebeshi of Kavre and Nepalthok in Sindhuli. Out of 158 km of the highway, around 9 km was completely destroyed and the rehabilitation work is ongoing in around 25 km in total. Likewise, the priority has been given to the most damaged section. As per the officials, the reconstruction is expected to complete in the next 18 months.  The government has allocated around Rs. 8.5 billion for the reconstruction, considering the difficult terrain.

Each year during the monsoon, our roads sustain heavy damage. High precipitation over a short period of time causes immense floods and landslides, which cause heavy damage to the major highways. Once the road gets damaged, it takes a lot of time for its reconstruction. If BP Highway's reconstruction gets completed within 18 months, it is a praiseworthy endeavour, but people used to seeing immense delay in reconstruction work find it hard to feel assured.

The new government has made a firm commitment to making contractors accountable, which has made citizens hopeful. It has promised to ensure good governance in line with the poll pledge. It is imperative for the related government agencies, contractors and local people to cooperate with each other to this end. Bearing in mind the government's resolve to complete infrastructure work without any delay, the authorities should work in full swing to complete the reconstruction of the damaged highway within the stipulated time, thereby improving road safety and economic connectivity between the Valley and south central and eastern Nepal.