Jhapa- The expansion and upgrading of the Kakarbhitta-Laukahi road, part of the East-West Highway, is has gained significant pace. The project is supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with Rs 46 billion loan.

The project encompasses a total length of 95 kilometres and is divided into two sections: the eastern section, which spans 45 kilometers from Kakarbhita to Sitapuri in Jhapa, and the western section, covering 50 kilometres from Sitapuri to Labipur in Sunsari.

Current reports indicate that the physical progress of the first package (Kakarbhitta-Sitapuri) has reached 47 percent, while the second package (Sitapuri-Gothgaon) is at 42 percent, and the third package (Gothgaon-Labipur) is at 19 percent. Sunil Babu Pant, the Head of the Kakarbhitta-Laukahi Road Plan for the eastern section, noted that the initial phase of blacktopping has been completed over 16.5 kilometres.

The construction team aims to blacktop between 400 to 800 metres daily, with a target of approximately seven kilometres per week, contingent on favourable weather conditions. Plans are in place to blacktop an additional 15 kilometres by October, as sufficient bitumen is available. Despite some delays caused by the rainy season, construction has continued.

The project, which commenced in January 2024, is scheduled for completion by 1 February, 2027, with simultaneous expansion work on both sides of the road, including the installation of a three-metre wide divider.-RSS