BP highway reconstruction: Bidding opens for Nepalthok–Barkhekhola
The reconstruction process was initiated after the disaster on Sept 26–29 last year caused extensive damage to the highway.
KATHMANDU: The government has invited bids for the reconstruction of the Nepalthok–Barkhekhola section of the BP Highway (Sindhuli segment), which was severely damaged by floods and landslides last monsoon.
The reconstruction process was initiated after the disaster on Sept 26–29 last year caused extensive damage to the highway.
The Road Division Office, Khalte, officially launched the tender process on Wednesday.
According to Shubharaj Nyaupane, chief of the Federal Road Supervision and Monitoring Office, Kathmandu, the bidding for this section is estimated at around Rs 7.2 billion. The tender will be opened within 30 days, and bidding for other affected sections will follow sequentially.
The Ministry of Finance has already secured Rs 85 billion for the overall BP Highway reconstruction.
The remaining three damaged sections, particularly those on the Kavre side, will be handled by the Road Division Office, Bhaktapur.
Monsoon-induced disasters severely affected the 28-kilometer stretch from Bhakundebesi (Kavre) to Nepalthok, completely eroding 8.7 kilometers of the road.
The Department of Roads conducted a damage assessment and prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR), estimating the total reconstruction cost at around NPR 100 billion.
Following reconstruction, the 28-kilometer section will be upgraded to a double-lane road, with a width of 10 meters, including a 7-meter blacktopped section.
According to the DPR, the road will be reinforced with a 300mm sub-base, 250mm base, 75mm water-bound macadam, and 40mm asphalt blacktopping.
The reconstruction process will involve cutting 396,000 cubic meters of soil and filling 764,000 cubic meters of land.
After the monsoon disaster, a temporary diversion was constructed, restoring vehicular movement within 13 days.
Currently, 50% of the repairs at Chowkidanda are complete, and preparations for diversion construction at Piple are underway.
Eight heavy machines, including one dozer and seven excavators, are deployed for the restoration work.
The BP Highway facilitates the daily movement of over 3,000 vehicles.
Constructed with Japanese assistance, the 160-kilometer highway (Dhulikhel–Sindhuli–Bardibas) was handed over to the Nepalese government in 2015.
