Flooded Prithvi Highway Diverts Traffic to Hetauda-Kathmandu Routes

Traffic on roads connecting Hetauda and Kathmandu has risen sharply after flooding along the Trishuli River blocked the Prithvi Highway at Krishnabhir in Dhading.

Under a plan issued by the local administration, vehicles carrying fewer than 14 passengers travelling from Hetauda to Kathmandu must use Bhimphendi, Kulekhani, Sisneri and Dakshinkali. Vehicles travelling in the opposite direction will take the Pharping, Phakhel, Kulekhani and Bhimphendi route.

Freight trucks and larger passenger vehicles have been directed to use the Tribhuvan Highway towards Kathmandu and the Kanti Lokpath when returning to Hetauda, according to Makwanpur Chief District Officer Basanta Adhikari.

The administration also told fuel tankers and heavy freight vehicles to avoid a Bailey bridge near the Tribhuvan Highway because of concerns about its load-bearing capacity. Those vehicles must use an adjacent diversion.

Officials said the arrangement aims to limit congestion and long stoppages on the alternative routes. The shorter Hetauda-Kathmandu route, which previously took about three hours, now takes nearly five hours because of the increased traffic.