Decade-old alternative to a vital Prithvi Highway link remains on paper
Summary
Landslide risks and a road collapse at Krishnabhir on the Prithvi Highway have revived calls for a long-planned parallel route along the Trishuli River. The blockage has disrupted traffic and supplies to Kathmandu, while the government rushes to upgrade alternative roads before Dashain.
Key Points
- The Krishnabhir section of the Prithvi Highway has become a major concern again after landslides and subsidence blocked traffic for nearly two weeks.
- A decade-old plan for a parallel road on the other side of the Trishuli River was studied but never built because land acquisition and compensation costs were too high.
- The government now plans to upgrade existing provincial and local roads between Benighat and Fisling and blacktop the route before Dashain.
- Officials are also studying longer-term solutions at Krishnabhir, including tunnels or bridges, while supplies to Kathmandu continue to face disruption.
