GANDAKI, March 11: The Pokhara-Mugling Road Project (Western Section) has completed 43.34 percent of its construction. Workers have blacktopped 29.47 km of the total 38.88 km stretch. Project Engineer Saujanya Nepal reported that crews have blacktopped 15.32 km of the four-lane road on both sides, while they have paved 14.15 km on one side. The project aims to complete construction by mid-December 2025, after two previous extensions.
In the western part, workers still need to blacktop 2 km of the road in Tanahun, according to Engineer Nepal. Crews continue expanding roads, preparing infrastructure, and blacktopping in the Kaski section. Authorities signed the contract for the western section on May 16, 2021, and construction began on August 28, 2021, with an initial target of completion within a year.
Mugling-Pokhara road expansion: Eastern section achieves 55 per...
Chinese construction company Anhui Kaiyuan Highway & Bridge Construction is managing the road expansion and upgrading. Workers are blacktopping roads in Chauthe, Pokhara International Airport, Amarsingh Chowk, and Budhi Bazar. Construction has also gained momentum in the Talchowk-Gagangauda section of Pokhara Metropolitan City-27. Crews have already blacktopped roads in Tharpu and Tur Ture of Tanahun, as well as Lower Gagangauda in Kaski. Engineer Nepal stated that the section from Jamune in Tanahun to Seti Bridge in Pokhara will include six lanes in some parts and four lanes in others.
Crews are simultaneously building bridges over Bijaypur Khola and the Seti River. The project office confirmed that workers are in the final stages of completing nine out of 12 road bridges in the western section. The Chinese company is executing the western section's construction at a cost of Rs 7.40 billion. The Asian Development Bank is financing the expansion and upgrading of the entire 81 km Pokhara-Mugling Road.
In the eastern section, covering 41.45 km, China Communications Construction started work in mid-April 2021. The project office reported that crews are in the final stages of upgrading and blacktopping the eastern section. While the project remains a government priority, road construction has temporarily disrupted transportation services in Pokhara, causing inconvenience to travelers. Locals have raised concerns over delays in road upgrades.
Once completed, this major highway will improve transportation between Pokhara and various parts of the country. The four-lane road is expected to boost Gandaki Province's economy and tourism. Engineer Nepal expressed confidence that travelers will soon no longer have to endure dusty, muddy roads and long travel times to and from Pokhara.
