Government Seeks Permanent Solution to Krishna Bhir Landslide

The government has approved immediate and long-term measures to restore the severely damaged Krishna Bhir section of the Prithvi Highway, which was affected by continuous rainfall, flooding and landslides. A meeting held at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport approved an action plan to restore the crucial supply route connecting Kathmandu with other parts of the country. In the immediate phase, structures will be built above the existing gabion breast wall to allow vehicles to pass, while track opening, installation of sacrificial gabion boxes and safe management of large hillside boulders will also be carried out. For a long-term solution, the Department of Roads will conduct technical studies on options including a tunnel, soil nailing and sheet piling. The government will also examine the feasibility of constructing a new bypass road or tunnel, with a target of arranging an alternative route by the end of the current fiscal year. Experts from the Nepal Geotechnical Society will provide technical support. The move comes amid flood-related damage of more than Rs. 30 billion to roads and bridges, with the restoration of Krishna Bhir expected to improve the movement of essential goods, food and fuel to Kathmandu.