KATHMANDU, JULY 20
The Daunne section of the Narayangadh–Butwal road was obstructed 63 times in the last fiscal year, largely due to landslides, flooding, and construction activities.
According to the District Traffic Police Office, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), the 14-kilometer stretch from Binayi Tribeni Rural Municipality-2 remained partially or fully blocked between Saun 1, 2081, and Asar 32, 2082. Most disruptions occurred following heavy rainfall, landslides, or road maintenance and expansion work. Additional blockages were caused by broken-down vehicles and large construction equipment jamming the route.
The most affected areas include Bishwakarma Temple, Ghyukhola, and Triyasi Mod. Road closures became more frequent after hillside cutting began for road widening.
"Landslides and mud during the rainy season, and dust and potholes during the dry season, have made travel through Daunne difficult throughout the year," according to the traffic office.
The situation worsened after a bridge over the Binayi Khola in Dumkibas collapsed on January 10, 2025, forcing vehicles to use temporary diversions that were repeatedly washed away by floods. The issue was resolved only after a new bridge came into operation on July 3, 2025. To facilitate construction, vehicle movement was restricted from March 10–14 between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, and throughout April 2025 between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM.
Of the 114-kilometer Narayangadh–Butwal highway, 65 kilometers from Gaindakot to Daunne are under upgrade. A 14-kilometer section in the high-risk Daunne area is being widened to three lanes.
China State Engineering Corporation, awarded the Rs 17 billion contract, has received three deadline extensions and must now complete the project by the end of this month.
