Blocked Hetauda-Kathmandu road reopens
The road was disrupted by heavy rainfall on Sept 27 and 28, but it is set to reopen from today.
KATHMANDU: Preparations are underway to reopen the Hetauda-Kulekhani-Fakhel-Humane road, which connects to Kathmandu, after being blocked due to floods and landslides. The road was disrupted by heavy rainfall on Sept 27 and 28, but it is set to reopen from today.
According to Pushkar Prasad Pokharel, Director of the Bagmati State Transport Infrastructure Directorate, the road will be opened after completing the construction of a new diversion below the Kulekhani Dam and repairing the section washed away by the Mahalaxmi River. He mentioned that the final phase of clearing obstructions on the Fakhel section is nearing completion, and vehicles are expected to operate from 1 PM onwards.
Pokharel further stated that the necessary infrastructure for resuming vehicle movement has been prepared, and if no major issues arise, transportation will operate smoothly. A diversion has already been constructed at the damaged access road near the Kulekhani Dam, and it is expected to be fully completed by Saturday night.
The road section damaged by the Mahalaxmi River has been repaired, and after completing the diversion, the route is now open for traffic. Meanwhile, some motorcycles have already started operating on the Fakhel road section, and stranded vehicles have begun moving towards their destinations. However, the Kulekhani-Sisneri section of the road is expected to open by Monday.
To inspect the preparations and progress, a team consisting of Bagmati State’s Minister of Physical Infrastructure Development Aman Maskey, Makwanpur Chief District Officer Tirtha Prasad Chiluwal, and Makwanpur Police Chief Superintendent Bishwaraj Khadka visited Fakhel and Mahalaxmi on Saturday.
