Traffic on the Narayanghat-Butwal road section of the key East-West Highway remained blocked for more than 26 hours on Sunday after heavy monsoon rain turned a section of the road in Daunne into deep mud, stranding hundreds of vehicles and causing widespread disruption.

Police halted trucks as far back as Rajhar, 40 km from the site, to prevent further congestion along the highway, a critical route connecting the eastern and western parts of the county.

The disruption occurred near the Bishwakarma Temple in Daunne, where cargo vehicles have repeatedly become stuck due to muddy and pothole-ridden conditions. Travellers reported being stranded without support or shelter, with no visible effort by the Chinese contractor in charge of road upgrades.

“This will go on for weeks,” said Inspector Janakraj Banjara of district traffic police. “The Chinese company contracted to upgrade the road hasn’t done the work.”

China State Engineering Corporation was awarded the road widening project for the Daunne section. Locals and officials say the company has failed to act despite repeated issues during the monsoon season.

Apil Narayan Shrestha, a traveller from Shitalnagar, Rupandehi, who reached Bardaghat after navigating the section, criticised government priorities.

“The prime minister flies to remote Humla to open a Bailey bridge, but doesn’t see what’s happening on the country’s main highway,” he said. “Even motorcycles can’t get through. Travellers are suffering.”