Kathmandu: The remaining section of the Kavre-Sindhuli stretch of the BP Highway from Piple in Kavre to Barkhekhola in Sindhuli will be reconstructed as a two-lane road with financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The project, covering a 3.2-kilometer road section, will be constructed with a grant assistance of Rs 2.6 billion. The construction contract has been awarded to the Japanese company Shimizu Corporation, and the formal foundation stone for the project has already been laid.

The reconstruction initiative comes after severe floods in Asoj 2081 BS caused extensive damage to the 30.5-kilometer BP Highway section between Bhakundebesi and Nepalthok.

Following the disaster, the contract process for rebuilding 27.3 kilometers of the damaged roadway was initiated about a year ago.

Multiple Construction Packages Underway

The reconstruction work has been divided into several packages, including three contracts on the Kavre side and one on the Sindhuli side.
Key construction packages include:

-A 5-kilometer section from Barkhekhola to Gajuli Daha in Sindhuli being constructed by Kharidhunga Ghising-Kshitij JV at a cost of Rs 550 million excluding VAT.

-An 11-kilometer section from Bhakundebesi to Charsaybesi in Kavre awarded to Lama-Nawakantipur JV for Rs 1.14 billion.

-A 9-kilometer stretch from Charsaybesi to Dala Besi awarded to Khani-Kamal Jit-Awan JV in Ashar 2082 BS at a cost of Rs 1.22 billion excluding VAT.

-A 2.3-kilometer section from Dala Besi to Piple awarded to Uma & Company-Bhandari-Amar Jyoti JV in Kartik 2082 BS for Rs 688 million, where construction work is currently progressing.

The foundation stone for the JICA-funded section was jointly laid at Barkhekhola on the Kavre-Sindhuli border by Gopal Sigdel, Secretary at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, and Mayada Toru.

The ceremony was attended by Matsuzaki Mizuri, local representatives from Sunkoshi Rural Municipality and Roshi Rural Municipality, construction company officials and local residents.

Locals Raise Concerns Over Construction Quality
Local residents expressed both interest and concern regarding the reconstruction projects, noting visible differences in technology, construction quality and road design between projects implemented by the Government of Nepal and those supported by the Japanese government.

Residents also pointed out that questions have been raised over the quality of some ongoing works being supervised by the Road Division Office and stressed the need for stronger monitoring and quality control mechanisms.

Authorities have stated that rapid construction work on the JICA-funded section will begin after the conclusion of this year’s monsoon season.