The Ministry of Physical Planning and Works has approached the Ministry of Finance to get permission for the construction of the stretch from Suryabinayak in Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel in Kavre. [break]
Once the 158 km BP highway is completed after black-topping of the 35 km stretch between Nepalthok in Kavre and Khurkkot in Sindhuli, the capital will be connected to the east and central Tarai. As of now, the capital has been depending on Prithivi Highway as the only link to the Tarai.
“We believe that the fast-track up to Dhulikhel will enhance the utility of BP Highway,” said the chief of the Construction Department at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works. According to officials, local private sector is also interested to invest in the project.
Tinkune-Suryabinayak fast track remodeled
Meanwhile, the Tinkune-Suryabinayak fast track funded by the Japan government is going to be constructed under a new modality. The 9.1 km stretch will be handed over to the government once the construction is over. The project, which is estimated to cost Rs 1.75 billion, was planned to be completed in three phases before handing over to the government.
“Nevertheless, the project will be completed on time, by June 2011,” said Sitaula.
As per the phase-wise modality, the stretch between Tinkune to Jadibuti-Manohara should have been constructed by the start of 2010.
“We scrapped the previous modality owing to difficulties in rearrangement of utilities like sewage and optical fiber line which we did not anticipate earlier,” Sitaula added.
However, the fast-track will not come into operation till the government, as part of the deal, does not fulfill its responsibility of constructing footpath and service road.
The government is going to invest Rs 500 million for footpath and service road, and has so far spent Rs 100 million. "We have to build footpath and service road which cause a little delay,” said an official.
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