Asian Highway construction gains momentum with 12 pc completed in 1 year

BELBARI, MORANG: The construction of the Asian Highway, aimed at connecting Asian countries through an extensive road network, is gathering momentum. It has been reported that 12% of the construction work has been completed within the past year.

The project involves upgrading a 120-km stretch from Kakarbhitta to Laukahi under Asian Highway No. 2. However, only 95.76 km of the road is currently under contract for upgrading.

The 95.76 km section has been divided into two parts: the eastern and western sections. The 45-km stretch from Kakarbhitta to Sitapur is being managed by Damak-based office, while the section from Sitapur to Pachrukhi, west of Itahari, falls under the jurisdiction of Itahari office.

Both offices reported that 12% of the work has been completed this year. Sunil Babu Panta, Head of the Damak office, stated that the target is to tarmac at least 20 kilometres of road within this fiscal year.

Similarly, Project West Section Itahari Office Chief Jagat Prajapati indicated that the first phase aims to tarmac at least 10 kilometres within this fiscal year.

Rajendra Raut, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Koshi Province, highlighted the international trade potential of the Asian Highway, which links to Bangladesh within 27 kilometres of Nepal via India. He added that the operational road would reduce import and export costs and provide rural enterprises with access to the international market. The Asian Highway begins in Bangkok, Thailand, and passes through Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India, reaching Karachi in Pakistan via Delhi and along the East-West Highway through Kakarbhitta in Nepal.

The construction project, which started in January last year, is funded by the Asian Development Bank and aims to be completed within three years. The project is estimated to cost $300 million, with 48 bridges and 10 overpasses to be constructed along the 95.76 km stretch of the highway.