Government Awakens Only in Crisis
Summary
The government is under pressure to improve alternative routes to Kathmandu as landslides repeatedly block the Nagdhunga-Muglin road and disrupt supplies, passengers and trade. Officials are pushing the Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track, Tribhuvan Rajpath and other routes as emergency lifelines while construction and land disputes continue to slow progress.
Key Points
- Landslides on the Nagdhunga-Muglin section regularly cut off Kathmandu, stranding passengers and disrupting supply chains to the capital.
- Experts say the Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track is the best long-term alternative, but the project is only about 50 percent complete after a decade of construction.
- Tribhuvan Rajpath, Kanti Lokpath and other routes need urgent upgrades, widening and better geometric design to serve as all-weather alternatives.
- The government is preparing to resolve the Khokana dispute and apply a reward-and-punishment policy to speed up Fast Track construction.
