The Bahrabise-Kathmandu section of the Araniko Highway in Sindhupalchok district is in a sorry state due to lack of repair and maintenance work. Travelling along the highway has become increasingly risky, as the authorities concerned have yet to repair the road, which was damaged by floods and landslides during the monsoon season.

Around four kilometres of the road have caved in at different places in Mahabhir, Kothe and Simle areas. The road sustained severe damage due to the floods and landslides. Similarly, landslides have affected the road at Jure, Sukute, Bandeu, Simle, and Balephi, among other places, along the Simle-Dolalghat road section.

“It is very dangerous to travel along the Bahrabise-Dolalghat section of Araniko Highway. The road is in a dilapidated condition, and in some places, it is too narrow for container trucks loaded with goods,” said Arjun Sapkota, chairman of Truck Container Transportation Service Limited. “Drivers risk their lives while travelling along the Bahrabise-Dolalghat section of the highway,” he added.

Araniko Highway, also known as Kodari Highway, was built by the Chinese government in the 1960s. It is the oldest road connecting Nepal with its northern neighbour, China. The 112 km long road links Kathmandu with Tatopani, a major customs point along the Nepal-China border.

The 26 km Baharabise-Liping stretch of the highway is also at risk of landslides and floods. This section was badly damaged by the April 2015 earthquakes. The China Railway Construction Group Company repaired the Baseri-Liping road section in 2018.

Transport operators, workers and local residents express their concerns about road safety along the highway. They urge the government for immediate and sustainable repairs to the damaged road.

“Landslides and soil erosion damage the road along the highway every year. The road caved in at Kothe many years ago. There is a high risk of landslides in the Simle area. People have to take risks while travelling along the road section due to delay in repairs,” said Buddha Maya Tamang, a local woman of Kothe.

Transportation is often disrupted along the highway during the rainy season due to floods and landslides. The Road Division Office in Charikot admits that landslides and road subsidence often block the highway during the monsoon season. “The road in the Kothe and Simle areas has sustained severe damage. We have written to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transportation to request repairs or reconstruction of the damaged sections,” said Amit Shrestha, chief at the Road Division Office. He expressed his hope that the damaged road would soon be repaired.