Kathmandu, Nepal - After nearly a decade of delays, the long-awaited expansion of the Kalanki-Basundhara section of the Kathmandu Ring Road is expected to move forward, with the Government of Nepal including the project in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2083/84 budget and finalizing key agreements with the Chinese government.
The 8.2-kilometer road section, one of the busiest corridors in the Kathmandu Valley, has remained in limbo despite an initial agreement between Nepal and China signed in 2018. The prolonged delay has largely been attributed to incomplete preparations, unresolved design issues, and administrative hurdles. As a result, thousands of commuters and local residents have continued to face severe traffic congestion, dust pollution, muddy roads during the monsoon season, and difficulties in pedestrian movement.
According to the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project, survey and design works have been completed and are currently undergoing final approval. Authorities have revised the original design proposed by the Chinese side after concerns were raised regarding inadequate pedestrian infrastructure, limited road safety measures, and the absence of green spaces.
The updated design includes disability-friendly pedestrian overpasses at key locations, wider sidewalks, dedicated green belts on both sides of the road, and a four-lane carriageway in each direction separated by a central median. Officials say the revised plan aims to improve road safety, pedestrian accessibility, and environmental sustainability while addressing increasing traffic demands within the capital.
Project officials have stated that a Project Implementation Agreement signed between Nepal and China has created a foundation for the project's advancement. China is expected to provide approximately NPR 11 billion in grant assistance for the expansion.
However, challenges remain. Land acquisition disputes, particularly around the Maharajgunj area, continue to pose significant obstacles. The Department of Roads has indicated that some structures may need to be removed to meet the required road width standards, while local residents have expressed concerns regarding compensation and displacement.
Meanwhile, the government has also launched a nationwide campaign to remove unauthorized structures built within the right-of-way of the East-West Highway, commonly known as the Mahendra Highway. Authorities have begun enforcing a 25-meter road boundary on both sides of the highway centerline to facilitate expansion works and improve transportation safety.
Officials from the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport state that the highway is being upgraded under regional connectivity initiatives, including the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program and Asian Highway standards. Several encroaching structures have already been removed in parts of Bara district and western Nepal, while public notices have been issued in other areas.
The government maintains that clearing encroachments will reduce traffic accidents, improve mobility, and create space for future infrastructure such as drainage systems, service roads, and pedestrian facilities. Authorities have also warned that structures not removed within the designated timeframe may be demolished under existing road laws, with associated costs recovered from the responsible individuals or organizations.
As Nepal continues investing in major transportation infrastructure, both the Kathmandu Ring Road expansion and the East–West Highway upgrading project are expected to play a significant role in improving connectivity, reducing travel time, and supporting long-term economic development across the country.
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