Prithvi Highway Section in Dhading to Reopen for Two-Way Traffic on October 1

Kathmandu. The Department of Roads is preparing to open the damaged section of the Prithvi Highway in Krishnabhir, Dhading, for two-way traffic from October 1. However, geotechnical experts have warned that the temporary road being constructed by cutting the slope should not be considered a long-term solution. After the flood, the Trishuli River eroded the lower part of the road, and a temporary road is being constructed by cutting the upper slope to facilitate traffic in Krishnabhir. Although the Department of Roads has put forward this option to ease immediate traffic, geotechnical engineer Udayraj Neupane stated that construction should proceed based on the ground conditions and river erosion. Speaking to News Agency Nepal, Neupane informed that the location of the road in Krishnabhir is not a stable rocky terrain but is on weak material deposited by the river and landslides. He clarified that it is essential to conduct a technical assessment of the risk when constructing a road by cutting the upper part while the river is continuously eroding the lower part. Explaining the geotechnical sensitivity of the road, he said, 'We are almost on a deposit. The river is eroding from below, and the mountain and rocks are not very good. When the river hits from below with such force, it will inevitably fall after eroding the bottom, fortunately, it hasn't completely fallen.' Krishnabhir is also an old active landslide area, and the Department of Roads decided to construct a temporary road by cutting the slope from the side of the landslide in consultation with experts and the Nepal Geotechnical Society. According to Subhash Raj Neupane, Deputy Director General of the Department of Roads' Planning and Monitoring Division, vehicles including gas bullets have already been tested on one-way tracks of the temporary road. The department stated that work such as adding gravel to the road, managing groundwater, constructing French drains, and horizontal drilling for water drainage remains. Although the department is preparing to open for two-way traffic from October 1, further decisions will be made based on the situation if landslides or other technical problems arise. The department plans to conduct a detailed technical study and proceed with necessary repairs and reconstruction once the rainfall and flood situation normalizes. However, according to engineer Neupane, operating traffic immediately and making the road safe in the long term are different matters. While the current temporary road solves the immediate problem, it cannot permanently resolve the geographical risks. He emphasized the need for serious study on tunnels or alternative structures for a long-term solution in Krishnabhir. Speaking about long-term solutions, he said, 'Other long-term solutions are either to go for a tunnel or build a bridge on the other side and make a connection at the bottom. We must find out which is feasible, which is resilient, and which is viable, and work on it.' He stated that Krishnabhir is an important route connected to the country's main transportation network, and long-term thinking is necessary to prevent recurring problems of landslides and road blockages. Calling the road a 'lifeline,' he added, 'This is our lifeline road. If problems keep occurring, we must think long-term. We must think long-term; if we only think the same way in places where problems keep happening, the problem will not be solved in the long run.' He stated that the current situation in Krishnabhir has become an example of the gap between Nepal's traditional practice of reopening roads after floods and landslides and the need to redesign infrastructure according to new risks from climate and natural disasters. He suggested studying the potential erosion by the river, landslide activity, ground nature, and the impact of future major floods when constructing roads. In hilly areas, ignoring river erosion from below the road and only adding structures above can risk shifting the problem elsewhere. The Department of Roads has committed to resuming traffic through temporary arrangements for the time being and proceeding with permanent reconstruction after detailed technical studies following the monsoon season.