The government, which had begun construction the 158 km road under financial assistance from the Japanese government some 13 years ago, was completed only recently. Soon after completion of the project, the movement of vehicles along the highway has almost doubled.Minister Nidhi during his visit to the quake-affected Sindhuli district informed local stakeholders that the government would ban movement of heavy vehicles along the BP Highway for its longevity.
"BP Highway is narrow and cannot further be expanded. So, movement of heavy and over-loaded would be banned," said Minister Nidhi. He also urged people to support the government enforce the ban.
Vehicles without route permit would not be allowed to ply the highway, according to minister Nidhi. He said banning heavy and overloaded vehicles will help reduce the risk of accidents.
Some six months ago, local stakeholders, including the district traffic police office and district administration office, had decided to put a ban on the movement of heavy vehicles along the highway. But the decision was implemented for only a few days. Despite restrictions imposed by the local authorities, transport entrepreneurs continue to operate heavy vehicles on the highway.
The newly constructed highway is yet to be handed over to the government but vehicular traffic has more than doubled.
According to local authorities, the pressure of vehicles on the highway has increased significantly after construction of the Sunkoshi Bridge, which connects Ramechhap with Sindhuli district and the operation of vehicles along the mid-hill highway.
Meanwhile, Shyam Kumar Mahato, chief of district police office (DPO), Sindhuli, claimed that only vehicles with route permit and those carrying relief and construction materials have been allowed to ply the highway.
Vehicular movement at night has already been banned with a view to curbing road accidents.
As per the DPO, Sindhuli, vehicular movement along the Banepa-Sindhuli-Bardibas road is not allowed from 8 pm at night.
"To prevent road accidents on the BP Highway, we have restricted movement of vehicles at night," said DSP Mahato. "Only ambulance and emergency vehicles are allowed to ply the highway after 8 pm."
The recent earthquake has also damaged the highway at four different points, according to project manager Bharat Kaji Debju. "It will be handed over to the government once the repair works are completed. Handing over the project to the government will not be possible this year," said project manager Debju.
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