Traffic shift to Sitapaila-Dharke road eases congestion amid Dashain travel surge
To alleviate this issue, authorities have started diverting traffic to the Sitapaila-Dharke road.
KATHMANDU: As the Dashain festival begins, a significant number of passengers and vehicles are leaving the Kathmandu Valley, resulting in heavy traffic congestion on the Nagdhunga-Nawbise road.
To alleviate this issue, authorities have started diverting traffic to the Sitapaila-Dharke road.
Currently, many small vehicles, including vans, SUVs, and cars, are observed using the Sitapaila-Dharke route.
Although this diversion is primarily aimed at bypassing the congestion on the Nagdhunga-Naubise road, transport operators have increasingly begun to utilize this alternative route, according to the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office.
Transport operators believe that the Sitapaila-Dharke road serves as a strong alternative for entering and exiting the federal capital, Kathmandu, while avoiding traffic jams at Nagdhunga.
While exact statistics on the number of vehicles using this road are unavailable, the traffic police estimate that at least 200 to 300 vehicles travel in and out daily via this route.
Due to the suitability of this road for bypassing traffic on the Nagdhunga-Naubise route, there has been a growing demand for its upgrade. In response to rising public requests, the government has already commenced road expansion work on the five-kilometer stretch towards Kathmandu.
The total length of the Dharke-Sitapaila road is 24 kilometers, connecting Sitapaila to Ramkot, Bhimdhunga, and Maheshfant before reaching Dharke, according to Sushil Babu Dhakal, a joint secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport.
He stated, “The road stretches for 24 kilometers and connects Sitapaila to Ramkot, Bhimdhunga, and Maheshfant before reaching Dharke. If we can expedite its upgrade and asphalt it soon, traffic congestion on the Nagdhunga-Nawbise road will reduce.”
Local residents have reported that this road is an effective alternative to bypass the Nagdhunga-Naubise traffic jam. Once the road expansion is completed, it is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion between Naubise and Nagdhunga, according to Secretary Dhakal.
The detailed project report (DPR) for this road was prepared by the Kuwaiti government, with an estimated cost of around Rs 150 million.
