KATHMANDU, Sept 20: Fourteen major highways across Nepal have been obstructed in the past 24 days of the post-monsoon period, with most blockages caused by landslides, according to police.
The affected routes include two sections of the Koshi Highway in Sankhuwasabha, one section of the Siddhicharan Highway in Udayapur and four sections along the Araniko Highway in Sindhupalchowk. Vehicular traffic has also been disrupted at the Nepal-China border in Rasuwa, the Narayanghat–Muglin stretch of the Prithvi Highway, and one location in Baglung along the Kaligandaki Corridor.
Snowfall in Sudur Paschim state highlands for third time, highw...
Three points in Nawalparasi East on the East-West Highway, one section in Bardiya on the Ratna Highway, and another in Rukum East on the Mid-Hill Highway have also been blocked.
The widespread disruption has heightened public concern as Dashain, Nepal’s biggest festival, begins on Monday. Thousands of travelers are expected to hit the roads to return home for the holiday, but many have already been stranded overnight along obstructed routes.
In response, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) convened an emergency meeting on Friday to address the crisis. Kulman Ghising, who currently heads the ministry, chaired the session, which was attended by officials from the Department of Roads, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs, labor representatives, and security personnel.
During the meeting, authorities briefed Minister Ghising on the status of the affected roads. Ghising directed all concerned agencies to work around the clock to clear the blockages and restore traffic. Police and transport authorities said they are making continuous efforts to reopen the highways and ensure the smooth flow of vehicles ahead of the festival rush.
