Ghising inspects Suryabinayak–Dhulikhel road, orders festive repairs

KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, inspected the under-construction Suryabinayak–Dhulikhel (Dhulikhel Khawa) road section on Sunday and reviewed the progress of the project.

During the field inspection, Minister Ghising held discussions with the Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, the Director General of the Department of Roads, project officials, and construction entrepreneurs.

He directed authorities to immediately repair potholes along the road to ease travel during the upcoming festive season.

He further instructed the project team to resolve all pending decisions without delay, mobilize additional manpower and equipment, and ensure the road expansion is completed within the current fiscal year.

The 15.8-kilometer road stretch from Suryabinayak to Dhulikhel is being expanded into a six-lane highway. Of this, the 8.3-kilometer Suryabinayak–Sanga section has achieved 39 percent progress, while the 7.5-kilometer Sanga–Dhulikhel section has reached 51 percent.

Overall, the project has achieved 45 percent physical progress. Notably, 80 percent of the retaining wall and drainage construction is complete, and about 1 kilometer has already been blacktopped.

However, the project continues to face challenges, including land disputes, delays in removing roadside structures, and a severe budget shortfall.

Although around Rs 3 billion is required for this fiscal year, only Rs 500 million has been allocated, according to Department of Roads Director General Bijay Jaishi.

Minister Ghising assured that necessary initiatives would be taken to prevent budget shortages and push the project toward timely completion.