KATHMANDU, Jan 5: The floods and landslides in mid-September damaged various sections of the BP Highway, and the reconstruction is expected to cost around Rs 9.66 billion. A post-flood study revealed that the reconstruction will require a significant amount of money.
The Division Road Office, Bhaktapur, estimates that the reconstruction will cost around Rs 9.66 billion for various locations along the BP Highway, from Bhakunde to Nepalthok.
The floods completely damaged eight kilometers of the 12-kilometer road section from Chowkidanada in Namo Buddha, Kavrepalanchok, to Kaladhunga in Roshi Rural Municipality. Senior Divisional Engineer Suman Yogesh stated that the study shows the need to construct three types of walls (RCC retaining, plum, and gabion walls) on this section of the road.
He said, "The study shows that some areas require a bridge, but we will reach a conclusion after discussing whether to build a bridge or install a wall." According to Chief Yogesh, the study indicates the need for RCC walls in flood-prone areas, while plum walls and gabion walls will be required in other areas.
Immeasurable
Chief Yogesh added that they are currently waiting for funding to proceed with the reconstruction of the damaged road.
He said, "We have not confirmed the source of funding for the road section reconstruction yet. Once we secure funding from donor agencies and the Nepal government, we will proceed with the process of opening the contract." Regarding the reconstruction of the damaged highway section, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conducted a study in mid-October.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli discussed the reconstruction of the highway with Japan's Ambassador to Nepal, Kikuta Yutaka, on October 16. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has proposed assistance for the road section's reconstruction to JICA and is now awaiting JICA's report and response.
Secretary of the Ministry, Keshab Kumar Sharma, stated that they are preparing to request the budget from the Disaster Management Fund of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. The ministry also plans to proceed with the highway reconstruction by securing concessional loans from donor agencies such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank. Sharma added that they are aiming to advance the contract process by mid-March.
Chief Yogesh stated that delays in securing funding for the reconstruction could disrupt transportation services during next year's monsoon. He explained, "If we had secured the funding, we would have started the work. However, if it gets delayed, transportation services might halt for the entire year." According to him, completing the full reconstruction of the road will take at least two years.
Most of the road section from Chowkidanda in Kavrepalanchok to Barke Khola in Sindhuli, under the BP Highway (Dhulikhel-Sindhuli-Bardibas), has been damaged.
Although authorities reopened the flood and landslide-blocked highway after two weeks, they have been restricting transportation operations from 6 pm to 10 am since October 16 due to the risk of dry landslides. The highway, which serves as a short route connecting the capital Kathmandu with the central hills and eastern Nepal, is operating as one-way in some sections and two-way in others.
The Japanese government began funding the construction of the BP Highway (Dhulikhel–Sindhuli–Bardibas, 160 km road) in the fiscal year 1996/97.
They completed the construction in phases, and on June 3, 2015, Japan officially handed it over to the Nepal government. According to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the construction expense was Rs 350 million per kilometer.
