Kathmandu, March 21, 2025 – The long-awaited expansion of the Sanga-Dhulikhel section of the Araniko Highway remains far behind schedule, leaving local residents and highway users increasingly frustrated. Despite initial projections, only 42% of the work has been completed so far, with just 10 months left to meet the December 2025 deadline.
The 15.8-kilometer Suryabinayak-Dhulikhel road is being expanded in two segments, with the 8.3-kilometer Sanga-Dhulikhel stretch awarded to Lama Construction in December 2022 at a cost of NPR 4.05 billion. However, the project's slow progress has raised serious doubts about its timely completion.
According to project engineer Mr. Khanal, construction efforts have focused on building support walls, drainage systems, and culverts. Blacktopping work has been initiated on only one kilometer of the stretch, and additional structural work is still underway. Challenges such as the relocation of water pipelines, sewage systems, and electrical cables have added complexity to the project.
Further complicating the situation, 11 houses along the route need to be demolished to facilitate the expansion. However, no steps have been taken to address this issue, leaving a critical bottleneck unresolved.
Local residents and highway users are voicing their concerns, citing health hazards from dust and pollution caused by the ongoing construction during the dry season. Many are disillusioned with the project’s lack of progress and are urging authorities to ensure the timely completion of the road expansion.
While the project deadline looms, the current pace of construction suggests significant delays unless swift action is taken to resolve the existing challenges. The Sanga-Dhulikhel highway expansion remains a critical infrastructure project, essential for improving connectivity and economic growth in the region.
As Nepal continues to grapple with the challenges of large-scale infrastructure development, the fate of this project serves as a reminder of the importance of efficient planning, timely execution, and community engagement. Ecosphere News will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as the story unfolds.
