Kathmandu. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Urban Development Kulman Ghising observed the vehicular movement along the BP Highway and reconstruction of damaged roads on the highway.

Minister Ghising along with Director General of Department of Roads and officials of related projects has been in the field to take stock of the problems faced by the passengers while traveling along the BP Highway during the festivals, traffic management and the status of reconstruction after the damage caused by the floods last year.

The highway, which is important to connect the federal capital with the eastern region, was completed with grant assistance from the Government of Japan. Last year, 30.5 km of BP Highway was damaged by floods. The existing intermediate lane will be converted into a two-lane section of the damaged highway.

On the occasion, Minister Ghising urged all sides concerned to complete the ongoing reconstruction of the permanent highway at the earliest so that the passengers commuting to Kathmandu during the festive season would be able to manage the traffic on a temporary basis. Work on the 25-km section of the BP Highway, which was damaged by the floods in September last year, has been forwarded after signing a contract agreement. The rest of the section will be built with JICA grant assistance.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Urban Development Kulman Ghising has said that the reconstruction of BP Highway will start immediately. Inspecting the flood-damaged highway, Ghising said preparations have been made to reconstruct BP Highway as soon as possible. He also said that contract works are currently underway for the reconstruction of the road section which was damaged by the floods of Roshi River in September last year.

“The tender for the work to be done by the Government of Nepal has already been issued and the tender for the 2.5 km project to be constructed with the assistance of JICA is in the process of being awarded. Preparations are being made to start the work after Dashain and Tihar. We are working as soon as possible to restore the road to its original condition,” he said.

He said that directives have been issued to keep equipment and human resources ready to avoid traffic jam as the number of vehicles returning to Kathmandu from other districts is very high immediately after Dashain. Likewise, Minister Ghising urged the passengers to travel safely as heavy rainfall is predicted in Nepal in the next few days.

Minister Ghising said, “There is a forecast of heavy rainfall in different districts on 17, 18 and 19 of September, which indicates that the BP Highway and the Narayangadh-Muglin and Narayangadh-Butwal road sections are at high risk.” I urge all drivers to drive with caution and not to rush the passengers, taking the necessary information. ’