KATHMANDU: The Kanti Lokpath has emerged as a crucial alternative route for vehicles entering and leaving the Kathmandu Valley following the closure of the Prithvi Highway.
The main artery was blocked after the Trishuli River flooded and eroded the road at Krishna Bhir in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality-7, Dhading, on Aug. 30.
The 89-kilometer road, which connects Lalitpur and Makwanpur, is currently experiencing a significant surge in heavy vehicle traffic. Madhav Prasad Ghimire, a supervisor for the Kanti Lokpath project, reported that between 2,500 and 3,000 large vehicles are using the road daily.
Traffic flow is frequently interrupted by landslides in areas such as Birkhedhara in Godawari Municipality and Bhalukhola, Karkibas, Kalche, and Pangdur in Bagmati Rural Municipality. Due to single-lane sections and ongoing rock-cutting work at Tamakhani, vehicles often face long delays.
Superintendent of Police Naresh Raj Subedi, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, stated that daily traffic volume has jumped from approximately 100 vehicles to between 1,000 and 1,500 since the floods. To manage the congestion, the authorities have stationed heavy equipment at Bhattedanda and Tikabhairav and deployed additional traffic police personnel.
However, the influx of heavy vehicles has negatively impacted local businesses. Pramila Dahal, a hotel owner in Chhapeli, noted that because most vehicles are empty and drivers do not stop for meals, her business has suffered significantly.
Member of Parliament for Lalitpur-1, Buddha Ratna Maharjan, expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s approach, stating it only prioritizes the road during emergencies. He said, “It is not just about remembering it during a crisis; it is the state’s responsibility to make such routes capable and safe before a crisis occurs.”
Construction on the Kanti Lokpath began in 1956, and approximately 70 percent of the project is now complete. While most of the 89-kilometer stretch is paved, about 4 kilometers remain unpaved. Following the destruction of the Bagmati River bridge by floods, a Bailey bridge was installed. Due to weight capacity concerns, only empty cargo vehicles are currently permitted to use the route.
