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🇳🇵 Nepal /Disasters & Emergencies

70 years on, Nepal's Kanti Highway remains incomplete, repeatedly hit by landslides

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The Kanti Highway in Nepal, a 79-kilometer road linking Kathmandu and Hetauda, remains incomplete after 70 years of construction due to difficult terrain, natural disasters, and funding shortages.
  • Landslides, both rainfall-induced and dry, have blocked traffic eight times in the past 45 days, raising safety concerns for this strategic route.
  • Despite significant investment since 2007, only 71 percent of the project is complete, with the remaining work, including 4.5 kilometers of blacktopping, targeted for completion by fiscal year 2026-27.

Nepal's Kanti Highway, conceived as a vital alternative to the Tribhuvan Highway, has been under construction for nearly 70 years, yet remains unfinished. This 79-kilometer road, intended to connect Kathmandu and Hetauda, continues to be plagued by frequent disruptions, primarily from landslides.

In just the past 45 days, traffic has been halted eight times due to both rain-induced and dry landslides. Police Sub-Inspector Pramod Prasad Sah Teli noted that the section between Thingan and the Bagmati bridge is particularly vulnerable. Loose soil and rocks frequently collapse onto the road, even in dry weather, forcing authorities to clear debris and halt traffic for hours. A recent dry landslide even caused a motorcycle accident.

The most vulnerable section lies between Thingan and the Bagmati bridge on the Makawanpur side. Landslides frequently obstruct traffic in Bharyangdanda and Gagate in ward 8 of Bhimphedi Rural Municipality, as well as Ghatthepakh and Lendanda in Bakaiya Rural Municipality.

— Pramod Prasad Sah TeliPolice Sub-Inspector of the Area Police Office at Thingan describing the most landslide-prone areas.

The fragile topography is a major reason for the recurring problem, according to Upendra Maharan, information officer for the Kanti Highway Project. The upper slopes consist of loose soil and gravel, making them prone to collapse. Studies are underway to find long-term solutions for stabilizing these vulnerable areas.

Construction began in 1956, with the track opened within three years. However, large-scale construction only gained priority from fiscal year 2007-08. To date, over 8.4 billion Nepalese rupees have been invested, with approximately 71 percent of the work completed. Project officials aim to finish all remaining tasks by fiscal year 2026-27, with only about 4.5 kilometers of blacktopping left. Chronic funding shortages and difficult terrain have been major causes of delay.

The risk of landslides remains significant in several sections. Studies are under way to identify long-term measures to stabilise vulnerable slopes and reduce future disruptions.

— Upendra MaharanInformation officer of the Kanti Highway Project discussing the ongoing challenges and planned studies.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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