NAWALPARASI: The night-time traffic ban along the Daunne stretch of the Narayangadh-Butwal road has been extended until May 14 to support ongoing road expansion work.
Earlier, the movement of vehicles on the road section was restricted from 11 pm till 5 am until April 28. Now, the restriction has been extended by a fortnight.
Bhavishwar Pandey, Chief District Officer of Nawalparasi East, said the night-time ban has been beneficial in speeding up the work. “The decision to keep the road closed at night until May 14 will allow us to complete essential tasks, particularly hill-cutting, before the monsoon rains begin,” he added.
Engineer Shiva Khanal, who is overseeing the eastern section of the road, said workers are currently cutting through hills, building retaining walls and building culverts.
The 114-kilometer section of the East-West Highway, from Narayangadh to Butwal, is being upgraded into a four-lane road. The Daunne stretch, which is considered a high-risk area, is being widened into a three-lane road with service lanes where necessary.
China State Engineering Corporation, which bagged the contract for Rs 17 billion, has already missed construction deadlines thrice. The latest deadline expires on July 23.
Travelers planning to pass through the Daunne section at night are advised to choose an alternative route.
