The Department of Roads is planning to construct an underpass at New Baneshwor, one of Kathmandu’s busiest traffic junctions, next year. The proposed underpass will connect the road from Old Baneshwor to Sankhamul (north-south) to ease traffic congestion.

Thousands of vehicles pass the Maitighar-Koteshwor section to enter and exit the Valley daily, with more using the Old Baneshwor-Sankhamul section, adding woes to the commuters.

According to Deputy Director General at the DoR Arjun Jung Thapa, a survey design for the underpass will be ready within this year following which the construction will commence.

“The design will take time since a lot of technical issues have to be considered,” said Thapa, adding that the project will be funded by the government.

“The design will require a proper survey as there are important structures, including Parliament building, along the road.”

Following the construction of the under-pass in Kalanki, the DoR has proposed such modality at New Baneshwor to ease traffic jams. The 800-metre underpass between Khasi Bazaar and Bafal Chowk along the Ring Road is part of the Kathmandu Ring Road Improvement Project (KRRIP) being built under the Chinese assistance.

Earlier, the government had planned an over-head bridge at New Baneshwor. However, the plan could not materialise because of the security issues as the Parliament building is nearby. This has forced the pedestrians to cross the eight-lane road through zebra crossings.

Inspector Krishna Raj Sapkota of the Koteshwor Traffic Police said the underpass, once ready, would be a huge relief for the traffic at New Baneshwor. “Traffic movement at New Baneshwor will be hassle-free as vehicles coming from all directions can continue towards their respective destinations without delay,” said Sapkota.

The department is also in talks with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to build a tunnel at Koteshwor. “The construction of tunnel at Koteshwor could also be started if we could agree on the technical issues of the project,” said DoR Spokesperson Mukti Gautam.