Kavrepalanchowk. The Dhulikhel-Khawa road section at Kavrepalanchowk is being upgraded under the Araniko Highway, which has been stalled for three years. The Road Division Office, Bhaktapur has invited bids for upgrading the section which was halted earlier due to negligence of the construction company.

Senior Divisional Engineer Suman Yogesh, chief of the office, informed that the tender has been invited for the upgradation of the four-kilometer Dhulikhel-Khawa section from the beginning of the current fiscal year. He said that the contract was canceled four months ago and the contract was called again to complete it within 14 months, ensuring the source of Rs 420 million.

Stating that the blacktopping could be completed in the first phase by mid-February and the remaining works should be completed within the stipulated time, Yogesh said regular monitoring would be carried out and the construction company would be warned.

Gokul Prasad Banskota, a lawmaker from Kavrepalanchowk, said, “The locals have been facing problems in commuting and facing criticism due to lack of timely work. According to him, the tender has been called again after canceling the old contract by putting pressure on the concerned agencies along with public statements to reduce the sufferings faced by the citizens.

According to Yogesh, an engineer at the Road Division Office, dhulikhel-Khawa section is the main road leading to Nepal’s northern Tatopani border point with China through the Araniko Highway and neighbouring Dolakha and Ramechhap districts.

“So far, only hill cutting work has been carried out from Dhulikhel Bus Park to Zipline while drains and drain walls have been installed in some places. About one km of road from the zipline to Khawa below is yet to be cut. Although the work of installing base and sub-base was started from Dhulikhel in May last year, there is a compulsion to work again after all were washed away in the frequent rains,” he said.

According to the Road Division Office, it will take a few months to complete the construction even after ensuring the resources and going to the new contract, so the work of filling the potholes has been done to make it easier for the vehicles and passengers. “It will take two to two-and-a-half months to start the work after the process of new contract,” Yogesh said.

According to him, the Dhulikhel-Khawa road section is being blacktopped by widening it by 12 meters. With this, he expressed confidence that the risk of accidents will be reduced. For the first time, a 20 cm thick cement base will be installed on the gravel and the second phase will be blacktopped using DBM and Asphal technology.