Permanent reconstruction of the BP Highway, repeatedly damaged by floods and landslides, is progressing at an accelerated pace, with works underway at multiple locations, according to the Division Road Office, Bhaktapur. The highway, a key short-distance corridor linking eastern and mid-hill regions with the federal capital Kathmandu, entered the permanent reconstruction phase around two months ago after operating temporarily following severe damage.

Officials said reconstruction has begun simultaneously from three sections of the damaged stretch in Kavrepalanchok and Sindhuli districts, with a target to complete the works within the next two years. The BP Highway suffered extensive damage due to successive monsoon-induced floods and landslides over the past two years, affecting around 30 kilometers of road.

Senior Divisional Engineer Suman Yogesh said three construction companies have been mobilized in their respective work areas and are advancing reconstruction works at full pace. However, one section to be rebuilt with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has yet to commence construction.

“JICA is carrying out additional technical studies, and it has informed us that construction will begin shortly,” Yogesh said.

According to the Division Road Office, RCC retaining walls are being constructed at several locations damaged by last year’s floods. In Chaukidanda, works are underway to build plum retaining walls along the river, while RCC walls are also being constructed at Charsaybesi and Bhakundebesi. Road widening is in progress along the Dalabesi–Mangaltar section and the Charsaybesi–Narke stretch.

For locations where the road was completely washed away, new designs have been prepared to ensure flood-resilient structures. The office aims to complete structural works at flood-damaged sites by mid-April, enabling traffic to operate from the original road alignment during the upcoming monsoon season, instead of along vulnerable riverbanks.

Yogesh said works scheduled for this year include construction of protective structures and road widening in damaged sections, while remaining works, including blacktopping, will be completed next year to fully restore the corridor.

The BP Highway sustained severe damage across Kavrepalanchok and Sindhuli sections, where floods and landslides washed away multiple road segments. Following temporary operation since last year, permanent reconstruction has now formally begun.

As part of the reconstruction, the highway will be upgraded to a two-lane standard. “The reconstructed sections will be two-lane roads, and additional parallel bridges will be built alongside existing bridges to ensure two-lane bridge connectivity,” Yogesh said. Studies are underway to convert five bridges into two-lane structures.

Contract details show that the 8.5-kilometer Dalabesi–Charsaybesi section has been awarded to Khani–Avan–Kamaljeet JV at a cost of Rs 1.4237 billion, including VAT. The 11.08-kilometer Charsaybesi–Bhakundebesi section has been contracted to Lama–Navakantipur JV for Rs 1.3353 billion. Similarly, the 4.90-kilometer Nepalathok–Barkhekhola section has been awarded to Kharidhunga–Ghising–Kshitij JV for Rs 610 million.

Out of the total 29.5 kilometers of damaged road, the 3.2-kilometer Barkhekhola–Piple section will be reconstructed by JICA. According to the Division Road Office, the procurement process for this section is ongoing. Japan has already signed an agreement to provide grant assistance equivalent to Rs 2.63 billion for this segment.

Except for the JICA-supported section, the government awarded contracts for all other damaged sections before last October. The government has approved total funding of Rs 8.5 billion for the reconstruction, allocating Rs 7.5 billion for three road sections in Kavrepalanchok and Rs 1 billion for one section in Sindhuli.

The BP Highway, stretching 160 kilometers from Dhulikhel to Sindhuli and Bardibas, was constructed with Japanese grant assistance beginning in fiscal year 1996/97. Built in sections, the highway was formally handed over to the Government of Nepal by Japan on June 30, 2015. The corridor remains a strategically important route, providing the shortest link between Kathmandu and the mid-hill and eastern regions of Nepal.