KATHMANDU: The government has prioritized landslide control works along national highways. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has allocated Rs 3.17 billion for landslide prevention and control projects in the upcoming fiscal year 2026/27.
The budget has been allocated for 68 different sections of major highways across the country. The projects cover key routes including Koshi Highway, Mid-Hill Highway, Pushpalal Highway, Araniko Highway, Siddhartha Highway, Kaligandaki Corridor, Madan Bhandari Highway, Rapti Highway, Karnali Highway, and Prithvi Highway.
The ministry said landslide control works will be carried out in identified high-risk sections. Contracts will be awarded and construction activities will begin in the upcoming fiscal year.
The government has been spending billions of rupees on landslide control every year. However, highway blockages during the monsoon season continue due to recurring landslides.
A look at which roads secured funding and how much
Among the allocated projects, the Safebagar-Martadi-Kolti road section has received the highest budget. Rs 500 million has been allocated for the Safebagar-Rakse-Kolti-Okhartola-Martadi section and transportation management along the Budhiganga River area.
The Koshi Highway’s Kewabesi-Sabhakhola-Khandbari section has received Rs 30 million, while the Leguwa-Bhojpur section of the Pushpalal Highway has been allocated Rs 32.4 million.
The Mulghat-Patlekhol section in Dhankuta has received Rs 50 million. The Hilepani-Okhaldhunga and Mudhe-Salleri sections have received Rs 40 million, while Halesi-Diktel and Diktel-Chakhewa sections have received Rs 30 million and Rs 35 million respectively.
For major trade routes connecting China, the government has allocated Rs 220 million. The Barhabise-Kodari section and Dolalghat-Lamosanghu section of the Araniko Highway have received Rs 69.5 million and Rs 61.5 million respectively. The Balaju-Betrawati-Dhunche-Syafrubesi road has received Rs 90 million.
The Aaptari-Muglin section has received Rs 64.5 million, while other sections including Sitapaila-Bhimdhunga, Samakhusi-Tokha-Gurje, and Balaju Bypass-Nagarjun-Thulokhola have also received dedicated budgets.
The ministry has also allocated budgets for major sections of the Prithvi Highway, Mid-Hill Highway, Kaligandaki Corridor, Madan Bhandari Highway, Rapti Highway, Karnali Highway, and other strategic roads.
Officials said the projects are expected to improve road reliability during the monsoon season and reduce disruptions caused by landslides on major transport routes.
