Narayangadh–Butwal Road Upgrade Nears Completion After Years of Delays

The Narayangadh–Butwal road expansion project has reached its final stage of construction after years of delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, poor inter-agency coordination, land clearance issues, and financial difficulties faced by the contractor. Built at an estimated cost of around Rs. 20 billion with 85% concessional financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and 15% funding from the Government of Nepal, the 113-kilometer project is being upgraded from two lanes to four lanes, with six lanes in key market areas. According to Project Director Chudoraj Dhakal, coordinated efforts among the government, the Chinese contractor, the Chinese Embassy, and other stakeholders helped resolve major obstacles, enabling the project to enter its final phase. The road is expected to significantly improve connectivity and transportation efficiency along one of Nepal’s busiest highways.