KATHMANDU: Work has started to upgrade two major highways connecting Nepal to China. A total of 43 km road sections leading to Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani border points are being expanded to two lanes.
Under the Araniko Highway, the 26.217 km Barhabise-Kodari section is being upgraded with government funding. Out of the 115 km highway, about 85 km from Kathmandu to Barhabise is already two-lane. The remaining section is now being widened.
Similarly, the Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi 17 km section, part of the Galchhi-Trishuli-Mailung-Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi road, is being expanded with Chinese grant support. This is the shortest route linking Kathmandu to China. The road up to Mailung is already two-lane, while a new contract is planned for the Mailung-Syafrubesi section.
Both roads are currently single-lane and are being upgraded to two lanes. The total project cost for the 43 km stretch is estimated at around Rs 8 billion. These roads were heavily damaged by floods and landslides last monsoon.
These routes handle trade worth over Rs 150 billion annually with China. Around 60% of electric vehicles imported into Nepal come through these corridors.
Barhabise–Kodari section progress at 15%
Construction on the Barhabise-Kodari section started in December 2025. Work includes slope cutting, gabion wall installation, and pavement preparation. Physical progress has reached 15%.
Work is ongoing in flood-affected areas like Liping, Koplang, and Ghattikhola. Retaining walls are being installed in these sections.
The road will be upgraded to a 7-meter-wide DBM asphalt standard. In difficult terrain, the width will be limited to 5.5 meters.
The project has received a budget approval of Rs 2.37 billion. The contract was awarded to MS NS Galva JV for Rs 1.34 billion. The agreement was signed on November 17, 2025, with a completion target by mid-November 2028.
Work begins on Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi section
On the Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi stretch, the Chinese side has started preparatory work, including collection of construction materials.
Formal construction will begin from April 1. To speed up work, the road will be closed for 45 days in total before the monsoon, in phases of 15 days each.
Currently, vehicles are operating on a temporary 2.5 to 3-meter track opened after flood damage last year.
The road will be upgraded to an 8.5-meter-wide blacktop standard. Bridges along this section have already been completed by the Chinese side.
The contract has been awarded to a Chinese company for around Rs 6.5 billion. The project aims to be completed within 39 months of construction start.
Once completed, travel time between Rasuwagadhi and Syafrubesi will drop to around 20 minutes, from over one hour at present.
