Narayanghat, Nepal| April 7, 2025
The government has announced a temporary closure of vehicular movement along the Daunne section of the Narayanghat–Butwal road corridor to expedite long-delayed repair and expansion work. This decision comes amidst mounting public concern over deteriorating road conditions and prolonged project delays affecting one of Nepal’s busiest highway routes.
The Narayanghat–Butwal road is part of the strategic East-West Highway and is a vital economic artery linking central and western Nepal. Initially contracted to China State Construction Engineering Corporation in 2019, the 114-kilometer expansion project was supposed to be completed within three years. However, more than five years later, only around 56% of the work has been completed.
Frequent disruptions due to monsoon rains, landslides, and what authorities describe as “poor contractor performance” have hampered consistent progress. Road users have frequently reported massive traffic jams, increased travel time, and safety hazards due to poor surface conditions, especially in the Daunne stretch — a hilly and landslide-prone zone.
In November 2024, local representatives formally appealed to the Prime Minister, urging immediate intervention. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli warned of contract termination if significant progress was not made by mid-December. Responding to this pressure, construction activities resumed late last year with over 300 workers deployed.
Now, authorities have taken the additional step of halting traffic entirely in the Daunne area to speed up tasks such as culvert installation, road widening, and base layer construction.
Travelers are urged to check for real-time updates and use alternate routes wherever possible. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has assured that all efforts are being made to complete the project at the earliest, though no new completion date has been officially announced.
The situation underscores the urgent need for stronger project oversight and accountability in national infrastructure projects, especially those critical to economic development and public safety.
