The 80.33 km stretch of the Prithvi Highway from Abukhaireni to Pokhara has seen 67 percent overall progress, with work ongoing in various sections. However, the contract for the 9-km Muglin-Abukhaireni (Eastern) section, is yet to be awarded.

The Abukhaireni-Jamune section has made 82 percent progress, while the Jamune-Pokhara (Western) section stands at 46 percent. The initial deadline for the Abukhaireni-Jamune portion was April 2024, which was extended twice to October 2024 and February 2025. The latest extension is set for June 30, 2025. “We are confident the remaining work will be completed within the new deadline,” said Chudaraj Dhakal, project director at the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Dhakal further added that 38 km of road in the Eastern section has been blacktopped, and the remaining work is expected to be completed within a month. “At least 20-km stretch of the two-lane road construction on both sides of the Eastern section has been completed, and the remaining service lane is only 1.5 km,” he stated.

In the Western section, 28 km of the road has been paved, improving traffic flow. “Out of the 28 km, 14 km is one-lane paved. By May 30, we aim to make it smoother for one-lane traffic,” he confirmed.

The construction contracts for the Eastern and Western sections were awarded to China Communications Construction Company and Yanhui Kaiyuan Highway and Bridge Construction, respectively.

Meanwhile, the construction of the Seti and Madi bridges has progressed. The Seti Bridge, awarded to Rasuwa Construction, has seen 46 percent progress, while the Madi Bridge, awarded to ANK-ZIEC JV, is 67 percent complete. The completion deadline for both bridges is September 6, with a combined cost of Rs1.07 billion.

Despite the progress on other sections, the Muglin-Abukhaireni section is still without a contract. Dhakal highlighted the challenges in this section, stating, “This stretch is narrow, and the heavy traffic poses a challenge. The area is also complicated due to the Marsyangdi Hydroelectric Plant and the narrow roads that increase the risk of accidents.” The bidding process for this section is expected to begin soon, with an environmental impact assessment already approved by the Ministry of Forests and Environment.

“We are finalising plans to start the construction of the two-lane road, with the goal of building a four-lane road once the bridges are completed,” Dhakal said. The estimated cost for the Muglin-Abukhaireni section is around Rs4 billion, with discussions ongoing with the ADB for funding.