Suryabinayak–Dhulikhel Road Expansion Project Achieves 67% Progress in Three Years, Deadline Extended till Mid-December

The expansion of the Suryabinayak–Dhulikhel section of the Araniko Highway has achieved 67 percent work progress, but delays caused by land disputes and obstruction from locals have pushed the project beyond its original deadline.

The 16-kilometre road upgrade, which began in December 2022, was originally scheduled for completion within three years. However, the deadline has now been extended by one year to mid-December 2026.

The project involves widening the existing two-lane road into a six-lane carriageway, including service lanes on both sides and sidewalks, and has been divided into two packages.

One of the packages, covering the 7.5-kilometre stretch from Suryabinayak to Sanga in Bhaktapur, is being constructed at a cost of Rs 3.88 billion. Works currently underway include retaining walls, drainage systems and culverts.

The other segment, spanning about 8 kilometres from Sanga to Dhulikhel in Kavrepalanchok, is being executed by Lama Construction Pvt Ltd at a cost of Rs 4.56 billion. Construction had faced prolonged disruption for about one and a half years due to disputes over the road’s centre line and obstruction by locals, but has resumed since mid-December.

Project Information Officer Anju Pariyar said that one of the three planned bridges is currently under construction over the Mahadev Khola, while the designs of the remaining two bridges have been completed after earlier delays due to local demands and will be implemented soon.

Despite progress in both segments, the project has faced setbacks due to land-related disputes, design delays and obstruction from local residents, contributing to missed deadlines.

Once completed, the upgraded road is expected to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity along the busy highway, which has seen increased vehicular movement following the reopening of the Tatopani border point with China. -- RSS