Kathmandu lifeline road works resume after Bitumen supply disruption

KATHMANDU: The long-stalled blacktopping work along the Nagdhunga–Naubise–Malekhu road section in Dhading’s Dharke Bazaar area has resumed, restoring momentum to one of the country’s busiest and most vital transport corridors linking the capital with eastern and western Nepal.

Road construction had been severely affected after the import of bitumen came to a halt due to rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which disrupted global supply chains of petroleum-based construction materials.

The shortage had forced suspension of ongoing road expansion and bridge works for several weeks.

According to contractor Sahadev Khadka, the gradual improvement in import conditions has allowed limited resumption of bitumen supply, enabling construction teams to restart blacktopping works in critical sections.

Priority is currently being given to highly sensitive and high-traffic zones along the route.

However, Khadka noted that progress remains constrained by unfavorable weather conditions, particularly continuous rainfall, despite the availability of raw materials.

The road section is a key lifeline connecting the federal capital, Kathmandu, with Nepal’s eastern and western regions.

Thousands of vehicles use the route daily, and delays in paving had caused severe difficulties for commuters and local residents, with dust problems during dry seasons and muddy conditions during monsoon periods.

Construction delays triggered by global supply chain disruptions have also impacted several infrastructure projects across Nepal, as the country relies heavily on imported bitumen for road development.

With work now resuming in the Dharke Bazaar area, local businesses and residents have expressed cautious relief, hoping for smoother and safer travel conditions in the coming weeks.