SATV, Kathmandu, Oct. 29 - The upgrading of the western section of the Prithvi Highway, a major road connecting Gandaki Province with eastern Nepal and Kathmandu, has reached 70.8 per cent physical progress, with the main construction works targeted for completion within the current fiscal year.
The two-lane highway, built around five decades ago, is being upgraded to six lanes in urban areas and four lanes elsewhere to improve connectivity and ease traffic congestion.
The 79.9-kilometre Mugling-Pokhara Highway project has been divided into two sections, a 41.5-kilometre eastern section from Aanbukhaireni to Jamune in Tanahun and a 38.4-kilometre western section from Jamune to Pokhara.
Construction of the eastern section has been completed, while work on the western section is nearing completion, with service lanes, footpaths, road markings and other finishing works remaining.
Krishna Bahadur Kunwar, chief of the Mugling-Pokhara Road Project (Western Section), said the overall physical progress had reached 70.8 per cent. The construction company’s latest contract extension expires on November 26, and the main works are expected to be completed within the stipulated period.
“The two signature bridges at Prithvi Chowk are progressing towards completion within this fiscal year. The highway section will also be completed within the deadline, although some beautification works may remain,” Kunwar said.
The contract for upgrading the western section was signed in May 2021. The Asian Development Bank is providing loan assistance for the project, which has been awarded to China’s Yanhui Kaiyun Highway and Bridge Company at a cost of Rs. 7.4 billion.
The road has six lanes from the Seti Bridge to Lower Gagangauda in Pokhara, while the remaining sections have four lanes. The project includes 12 kilometres of four-lane road with a width of 18 metres, 8.5 kilometres of four-lane road measuring 23 metres wide, and 18.3 kilometres of six-lane road measuring 46 metres wide.
The western section includes four major bridges and eight smaller ones. All bridges, except the two signature bridges being constructed over the Seti River at Prithvi Chowk, have been completed.
Construction was affected by delays in managing drinking water pipes and electricity poles within Pokhara Metropolitan City, as well as removing structures falling within the road’s right of way.
Compensation for 37 households on the Kaski side has recently been determined, while compensation for four houses on the Tanahun side is yet to be finalised.
Uttam Prasad Paudel, a member of parliament representing Kaski Constituency No. 2, said the upgrading of the Prithvi Highway, a lifeline for Pokhara and Gandaki Province, should not face further delays.
“We are also working to resolve the obstacles encountered by the project. There should be no further delay on any pretext,” he said.
Signature bridges targeted for completion by mid-July next year
Traffic congestion frequently occurs at the existing China Bridge at Prithvi Chowk because the four-lane road narrows to a two-lane bridge.
To address the problem, two double-lane signature bridges are being constructed on the northern and southern sides of the existing bridge. The bridges are being built under separate contracts, with both targeted for completion within the current fiscal year.
Ananta Baral, an engineer with the project, said the northern bridge was expected to be completed by the last week of December, while the southern bridge was targeted for completion by mid-July.
“Some workers need to be brought in from China, and the process is under way. We plan to bring the northern bridge into operation from January,” he said.
Once the two 190-metre-long, double-lane bridges are completed over the Seti River, there will be three bridges at the site, including the existing one.
Rasuwa Construction Company Pvt. Ltd. is constructing the bridges at a cost of Rs. 1.07 billion. The physical progress of the bridge project has reached 70 per cent. The original deadline for completion was December 6, 2025.
