KATHMANDU: The upgradation of the Kakarbhitta–Laukahi section of the East-West Highway, which also serves as part of the Asian Highway that aims to connect South Asian nations through a regional road network, has started gaining momentum.
The project, which has been implemented with loan assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is scheduled for completion within three years. It has achieved 25% overall physical progress so far.
The contract agreement for the project was signed in January 2024, and work officially began in June 2024.
Of the 120 km stretch from Kakarbhitta to Laukahi, contracts have been awarded for only 95.76 km. The road has been divided into two sections, the Eastern Section from Kakarbhitta to Sitapur (45 km) and the Western Section from Sitapur to Itahari (50.6 km), for upgradation. The 24.24 km stretch from Itahari to Laukahi is still in the tendering process.
The $362 million project is funded through a $300 million ADB loan and a $62 million budget allocation made by the government.
The two-lane highway is being upgraded to Asian Highway standards. In the contracted sections alone, the project includes the construction of 48 bridges and 10 overpasses.
The $362 million project is funded through a $300 million ADB loan and a $62 million budget allocation made by the government.
According to Ashish Dev, information officer for the Eastern Section, physical progress there has reached 24.5 percent.
“Work such as pavement preparation, sub-base installation, culvert construction, retaining walls, earthworks and bridges is underway along the entire 45 km stretch of the Eastern Section,” Dev told MeroAuto. “Road and bridge construction is progressing rapidly in the eastern section. Out of 18 planned bridges, work is ongoing on 17.”
Similarly, of the 143 culverts in this section, 72 have been completed, 61 are under construction and work on the remaining 20 is yet to begin.
An elephant underpass is also being built in the Charali forest area. The underpass will be 6.5 meters wide and 15 meters long. Large bridges are under construction over the Kankai, Biring, and Ninda rivers, each spanning over 300 meters.
Of the 17 houses, 17 public structures, and 2,422 electricity poles that need to be removed on the Eastern Section, 15 houses, 13 structures, and 1,900 poles have already been cleared.
“Progress in bridge construction has reached 25%. The foundations for all bridges have been completed, and work on pillars and substructures is ongoing,” Dev added.
Site clearance is still pending in some packages. Of the 17 houses, 17 public structures, and 2,422 electricity poles that need to be removed, 15 houses, 13 structures, and 1,900 poles have already been cleared. “We still need to remove two houses, four public structures, and 522 poles. The process is ongoing,” he said.
The Eastern Section is being built by Evrascon Kalika JV.
Similarly, the Western Section has achieved 26% overall progress, according to Project Chief Jagat Prajapati. “So far, 4 km of the road has been blacktopped, while sub-base has been laid on another 10 km. Retaining walls, earthworks, and culvert construction are underway,” he said.
Out of 169 box culverts, 47 have been completed, he added.
Covec Craig Tundi JV is building the western section of the project.
