Butwal-The 113-kilometre Narayanghat–Butwal road section under the East-West Highway includes the Daunne stretch, considered the most challenging part of the project. This 14-kilometre section has also seen the most delays.

The expansion contract was signed on February 7, 2019 assigning China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd to complete the project by Shrawan 22, 2079. That deadline expired three years ago. The deadline has since been extended for the third time, now set for Shrawan 8, 2082.

The project has been divided into two segments — eastern and western. Overall physical progress stands at 64 percent.

Funded by an Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan, the total cost of the project is Rs 16.99 billion. 

Of the 113 kilometres, 70 will be four-lane, while 29 kilometres will include four lanes with 6-metre-wide service lanes on both sides. The 14-kilometre Daunne stretch will be a three-lane road.

In the eastern segment, nearly all one-way blacktopping is complete. Of its 65 kilometres, about 57 kilometres have already been blacktopped, with 69 percent physical progress recorded.

The western segment spans 48 kilometres, with around 61 percent of one-way blacktopping done. The Daunne stretch lies in this section and continues to be a major source of inconvenience for travellers.

Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Devendra Paudel, has said that problems in the Daunne area are close to resolution. 

He assured that the difficulties faced by travellers there will soon come to an end.

Photos: Society of Infrastructure Journalists