After 17 Years, Mid-Hill Highway Construction Remains Incomplete; Contracts for 18 Bridges Still Pending

April 14 (Baisakh 31), Panchthar – The national pride project, the Pushpalal (Mid-Hill) Highway, stretching from Chiyabhanjyang in Panchthar to Jhulgad in Baitadi, remains unfinished after 17 years.

The Government of Nepal initiated this project through its own funds in fiscal year 2064/65 (2007/08 AD). Since fiscal year 2069/70 (2012/13 AD), the highway has been declared a ‘national pride project.’

Although the initial target was to complete the construction by fiscal year 2079/80 (2022/23 AD), this was postponed due to delays, with the revised deadline now set for 2084/85 (2027/28 AD). Given the current construction pace and remaining contracts, meeting this deadline looks challenging.

According to the Pushpalal (Mid-Hill) Highway Directorate in Kathmandu, out of the total 1,879 kilometers, 328.36 kilometers of blacktopping remain incomplete. Information Officer Sachin Shrestha reported that contracts for 111 kilometers of blacktopping are yet to be awarded, along with contracts for 18 bridges.

Progress on projects under contract is sluggish. Across five project offices, 31 contracts have been awarded, but contractors have delayed work.

Project Director Buddhiratna Tuladhar stated, “The lack of work by contractors has caused increasing problems. Many contracts are in a dormant state. Although funding is available, contractors are not carrying out work. There is no solution yet on how to handle dormant contracts. Only if contractors accelerate work immediately can the project be finished by 2084/85.” He also mentioned that new contracts have been sent to the planning bank and will be awarded once the budget is available.

So far, 83.29% of the project is complete, with 1,550.64 kilometers of road already blacktopped, including 462 kilometers constructed under other projects. As the project has been prolonged, costs have increased, and 7.242 billion NPR has been spent to date.

The revised estimated cost has reached 8.433 billion NPR, and questions loom over when the project will finally be completed.

Arjun Jung Thapa, former secretary and current member of the National Planning Commission, commented, “The revised goal of completing by 2084/85 seems unlikely. In the Dhading–Gorkha segment, alignment issues persist due to the Budhigandaki hydropower project. Additionally, land and household disputes in certain areas are causing delays.”

He added that delays have also occurred because contractors failed to deliver on time from Chiyabhanjyang to Tharpu, pending contracts remain, and existing works have slowed down, all affecting the Mid-Hill Highway’s completion target.

Thapa cited land disputes, contractor delays, lack of coordination among three government administrations, and budget shortages as contributing factors to the delay. “Several road segments were pieced together by various divisions and former Village Development Committees, resulting in winding routes that need straightening,” he said.

He also noted, “Despite being declared a national pride project, the budget has been reduced in recent years, prompting efforts to introduce multi-year contract policies.”

The old highways also require upgrades. Currently, 243 kilometers of older highways up to Chaukhatte in Achham are in use, along with 463 kilometers of old roads.

In the current fiscal year, only 34.32% of the allocated budget has been spent. Of the 384.36 million NPR allocated, only 131.9168 million NPR was spent by the end of Chaitra.

According to Information Officer Shrestha, the goal was to blacktop 75 kilometers this year, but only 39 kilometers have been completed. Of six targeted bridges, only three have been constructed.

Which Contracts Remain Pending?

Contracts for nine road segments and 18 bridges are yet to be awarded on the Mid-Hill Highway. Delays have led to terminated contracts not being reassigned. In Tehrathum, 13.7 km; Khotang, 10 km; and Sindhuli, 4.5 km of road contracts were terminated but not yet reissued.

Due to the Budhigandaki project, contracts for 29.73 km in Gorkha, 14 km at Palase-Rakathum in Ramechhap, 13 km from Jordhara to Chaurikhola, and 16.53 km at Chaurikhola-Daulalghat in Kavre remain to be awarded.

In Baglung, 5.46 km; Lamjung, 1.7 km; and Dailekh, 2.5 km of blacktopping contracts are also pending.

The absence of a bridge over the Bheri River connecting Rukum and Jajarkot districts has created problems. Although motorcycles can cross a suspension bridge, vehicles must take a lengthy detour. The 98.5-meter Bheri bridge project has faced multiple deadline extensions and has been repeatedly suspended due to contractor inaction, with no new contract awarded.

In Sindhuli, contracts for Kangasang Khola and Sokhu Khola bridges, and in Khotang for Pankhu Khola bridge, were terminated but not resumed. Flood damage to the Phalam Khola and Oyam Khola bridges in Panchthar has also prevented contract reissuance.

Feasibility studies have only been conducted for the 334-meter bridge over the Sun Koshi River and the Jhdadi Khola bridge in Sindhupalchok. Bridge construction contracts remain pending for the Jageni Khola in Ramechhap, Kanle, Ripeni, and Khar Khola in Sindhupalchok, Pistikholah in Lamjung, and Khandu Khola in Parbat. Additionally, DPRs for Sai Khola in Dailekh and Vijaypur Khola in Kaski are still awaiting completion.

Districts and Tasks Delayed

Across Panchthar, Ramechhap, Gorkha, Parbat, and Dailekh project offices, 31 contracts have been issued. Most contractors have secured bids at low prices but are progressing slowly. According to the directorate, while work is slow overall, only certain contracts face specific obstacles.

In Panchthar, six contracts are active, yet work is stalled on blacktopping 50.64 kilometers between the starting point at Chiyabhanjyang and Tharpu. Contract progress is low due to contractor inactivity; a contract worth 147 million NPR was awarded in 2020 but remains incomplete.

In Tehrathum, the 10 km blacktopping contract awarded in 2015 remains incomplete. The construction of Khaduwa Khola bridge is also delayed.

Progress is also poor in the four contracts from the Ramechhap project office. The 14.5 km blacktopping from Bahunepati to Daulalghat faces contractor negligence and landslide issues. Delays also affect the 16.53 km blacktopping and Sitka Khola bridge contracts.

The Gorkha project office is managing 15 contracts, with most contractors delaying work. Construction has been halted in certain areas due to disputes and landslides. Lamjung and Nuwakot face alignment issues along with land and forest-related disputes.

The Parbat project office faces a 38.8 km road alignment dispute along the Bhaiseng-Armalakot-Lamachaur-Yamdi segment.

Similarly, the Dailekh project office’s eight contracts are progressing slowly.

Road Providing Dozens of Benefits to Hill Villages

The Mid-Hill Highway serves as an alternative route allowing travel from east to west through the hills, providing road access to remote and underserved residents.

Many districts with limited or no highway access have villages now connected by this highway.

The Mid-Hill Highway links approximately 225 settlements. Some areas have experienced urban expansion, yet many rural communities continue to grow along the roadside.

The highway provides the most service in Panchthar, Tehrathum, Bhojpur, Khotang, Sindhuli, Ramechhap, Gorkha, Lamjung, Baglung, East and West Rukum, Jajarkot, Dailekh, and Achham districts.

Chiyabhanjyang Border Remains Closed, No Bridge Built Over Mahakali River

Although Chiyabhanjyang in Panchthar is considered the highway’s starting point, the border checkpoint remains closed, and the bridge over the Mahakali River at Jhulgad has not been constructed.

Chiyabhanjyang connects to India’s Sikkim district. Road access exists up to this border, making it the only road connecting Sikkim to Nepal, but locals say no efforts have been made to open the border.

Meanwhile, the bridge linking Jhulgad in Baitadi to Pithoragarh in India remains unbuilt despite years of delay. People are forced to use a risky suspension bridge for crossing and transporting goods.