Two-way traffic to resume on section of Nepal’s Prithvi Highway — Kathmandu Post
Nepal plans to restore two-way traffic from Thursday morning on the Krishnabhir section of the Prithvi Highway, which connects Kathmandu with the western part of the country. The section was closed 18 days ago after a landslide caused by flooding in Rasuwa. A new 270-meter road was laid and covered with gravel above the destroyed section of the highway, Kathmandu Post reports.
According to the Malekhu–Mugling road project, all types of vehicles will be allowed to travel in both lanes from 6:00 a.m. Gravel laying on the new section was completed on Wednesday evening. Since Sunday, gas tankers and trucks that had been stranded due to the landslide had already been using it in test mode.
Temporary gravel road
The new gravel road is considered a temporary solution. Nepal’s Department of Roads will assess its stability and ability to withstand loads for about two weeks, after which it will decide when to asphalt it. Lighting is also being installed at Krishnabhir for safer nighttime traffic, while drainage work and reinforcement of the new road continue.
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At the same time, uninterrupted traffic between Nagdhunga and Mugling will not yet be restored: single-lane passage remains on several sections of the highway due to erosion and landslides. Restrictions apply, in particular, near Shital Bazar, Jhawang Khola, Galchhi, Mahesh Khola, Baireni and Malekhu. During the Krishnabhir blockage, traffic between Kathmandu and western Nepal was redirected via Hetauda and roads leading to Gorkha.
Alternative route
The government is also upgrading an alternative route of about 18 kilometers from Benighat, across the Trishuli River, to Phisling in Chitwan. About 1.5 kilometers still need to be opened to complete the road construction. The Department of Roads expects to complete the construction and upgrading work within four months and later asphalt the route.
Specialists are separately studying long-term options for Krishnabhir: a tunnel beneath the slope or a bypass bridge. According to Bijay Jaisi, director general of the Department of Roads, the government expects to make a decision within six months after receiving expert recommendations. About 50 workers, including technical personnel, worked on the new section for 12–16 hours a day.
