Completion of the much awaited BP Highway (also known as Banepa-Bardibas Highway), after 56 years of its conception, will be a boon for residents of Mahottari, Dhanusha, Sindhuli, Kavre and Kathmandu districts. The 160 km road links Kathmandu with eastern Tarai, reducing total distance by 150 kilometers. Moreover, it will be an important link in reviving economic activities along the highway. The highway has brought Tarai districts to our yard—thanks to the Government of Japan for 20 billion rupees of investment.
However, this story of success has a lot to tell us about what not to do in the future. The highway does not have a very inspiring history. It was first envisaged in 1958 by the first democratically elected Prime Minister BP Koirala. He was aware of the importance of linking hills and Tarai through roadways. Then the royal coup happened in 1960, putting the project in limbo for 37 years. Even the post-1990 dispensation had not paid much attention to this vital project until the 1993's devastating floods that seriously damaged Tribhuwan and Prithvi Highways, disconnecting Kathmandu from Tarai for twenty days. Then the project got rejuvenated with financial assistance from Japan in 1996. We need to take it as a lesson to ensure that no development projects take such frustratingly long time to complete.
Like most of our development projects, BP Highway suffered from frequent government changes, and lack of political will to complete it on time. Some of our national pride projects are suffering the same fate. Problems related to lack of preparation in the initial stage, land acquisition rows and lack of clarity with contractors often come in the way. Then there are petty political interests. Each party wants to take credit for development, so the tendency has been to obstruct the process when the party is outside the government. Development unnecessary delayed could prove to be a development denied. This is the reason people do not trust the government for development. No wonder, it takes years even for valley road maintenance to complete. There is no better reminder than the mess along Old Baneshwor-Sinamangal road stretch. The delayed construction has created mud pool along this road stretch—making it extremely hard to travel.
Highways are the indicators of development and mark of prosperity for any nation. Lack of road network kept entire Karnai region disconnected from Kathmandu—which ultimately became a source of alienation of Karnali people. Even today, a number of villages in Western Nepal are inaccessible due to lack of roads. As we are finalizing the draft constitution, our focus should be on completing the several road projects that are in the pipeline at the earliest possible. Soon-to-be federal country needs even better inter-province road connectivity. What we need now is proper planning, vision and a resolve to expedite development. The late success of BP Highway has shown that it's possible.
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