Current Road Status in Nepal | Highway Updates

Nepal is a country filled with mountains, in which hills and high mountain ranges occupy 75% of its area. This is why most highways in Nepal are twisty roads (except the southern part of Nepal). There are two-lane roads that are well-paved (except for the mountain region). The major issue, however, remains landslides on the highways in Nepal which you are likely to face in certain sections of the highways during monsoon that will cause you some delays. If you can, drive around the landslides, some of which are constant and bumpy in some parts.

Roads and highways restore to 2-way traffic in 345 places

– Two-way traffic has been restored at 345 locations, while one-way traffic is operational at 408 locations.

– Nagdhunga-Mugling road: Two-way traffic operational at sections like Mauwa Khola, Hukdi Khola, Fishling, Kali Khola, Simaltal, Jalbire, and Ghopte Bhir.

– One-way traffic is open in the Jhyaplekhola and Jawang Khola sections on the Nagdhunga-Mugling road.

– Mid-Hill Highway: Two-way traffic resumed at sections including Kudule, Akkare Bhir, Panchakanya, Kalimati-Sanambesi, Sokhu Khola, and Kalleri Dobhan.

– Kukhuretar section of Mid-Hill Highway is open to one-way traffic.

– BP Highway: The Kaladhunga section in Kavre is operational for one-way traffic, and the Charsaya section also opens for one-way traffic.

– Roshi River has washed away about 200 meters of the road near the Mangaltar section, halting traffic.

– One-way traffic is operational at Karkibas on the Kanti Highway in Lalitpur.

– Samakhushi-Tokha-Gurje-Bidur road: Two-way traffic resumed.

– Hetauda-Bhainse-Palung-Naubise-Kathmandu road: Two-way traffic is fully operational at the Bhainse section.

– The Okharpauwa section linking Kathmandu and Nuwakot opened to one-way traffic.

– The Mahadevatar section on the Kanti Highway was reopened to one-way traffic.

– Araniko Highway: One-way traffic resumed in the Kodari and Dalkhang sections in Sindhupalchok.

How good are the roads in Nepal?

While road conditions in Nepal differ quite a bit according to the area, Here’s an overview:

1. Kathmandu and Major Cities

The capital and other larger cities such as Pokhara have vastly improved road conditions in the last decade Some of the main roads are asphalted, and several parts also suffer from congestion and problems such as pavement deformation, poor drainage capacity, different types of potholes crops up on time and tarmacking is concerned.

2. East-West Highway

Most of the main highways, such as the Prithvi Highway (that links Kathmandu and Pokhara) or East-West Highway, are in pretty good shape but could be hazardous to travel on if it’s rainy season. Heavy traffic congestion and accidents are frequent, and road safety can be a worry due to reckless driving.

3. Mountain and Country Areas

Those who live in the country or mountains often have much worse roads. Many are even unpaved and less big, with no filleting smooth surface. Travelers who are in rainy times may find the road impossible. In many of these regions, access is only possible on foot, off-road vehicles, or motorcycles across landslides and floods that can wash away the means of communication.

4. Infrastructure

Road infrastructure is slowly being invested in the fourth week of the first figures from Esdkai (that is very hard to come by by fast-developing terrain and aspiring, Nepal) There is also still a lack of regular road maintenance away from the cities.

In conclusion

Highways in Nepal have to face many challenges during the rainy season: falling rocks and mud, erosion blocking roads, and making travel hazardous, if not impossible. Poor drainage systems contribute to waterlogging and damage to infrastructure. While there is a concerted effort to improve road conditions, steep terrain combined with heavy rainfall complicates maintenance and safety. Travelers should be aware that disruptions to travel, especially road conditions, might be considerably different in this region because of the bad weather. 

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