Road Collapse Turns 6-Hour Journey into 13-Hour Ordeal
The collapse of the Prithvi Highway at Krishnabhir in Dhading has disrupted Lamjung–Kathmandu travel, forcing vehicles onto longer routes and sharply increasing travel time and fares.
Travel between Lamjung and Kathmandu has been disrupted after the Prithvi Highway section at Krishnabhir, Dhading, collapsed on Bhadra 14. Vehicles from Besishahar to Kathmandu are now being diverted through Chitwan, Hetauda, and Dakshinkali, extending the journey from around 5–6 hours to 12–13 hours. The disruption has also reduced transportation services, with daily microbus operations falling from around 40–50 to just 5–7 vehicles. Fares have increased significantly, with diesel microbus fares rising from Rs. 900 to Rs. 2,000 and electric microbus fares from Rs. 700 to Rs. 1,500. Larger buses have also declined from five to six daily departures to just one. The road blockage has created additional difficulties for patients requiring referrals, with some being transported by ambulance via the longer route and others taken to Pokhara before being airlifted by helicopter, increasing both travel and treatment costs.