Kathmandu, February 28:

The construction of an ambitious 76-km highway, connecting the Kathmandu valley with the Tarai region in just two hours, is expected to begin in July.

The four-lane fast track, running along the banks of Bagmati river from Kathmandu to Nijgarh of Bara district, is expected to clear the traffic congestion at Kalanki Chowk, the single outlet linking Kathmandu to eastern and western Nepal.

“The construction will begin hopefully by the beginning of the next fiscal year,” said Tulasi Prasad Sitaula, the director general at the Department of Roads.

A detail feasibility study is underway and the final report is expected by June, he said.

He said the responsibility of construction would be given to private parties because finding donors might take more time.

The exact cost will be finalised in June but it is estimated that the project would cost Rs 40 billion and the construction will be over in four years. The highway will also link Hetauda through a section to be constructed from Shreepur to Hetauda.

Earlier, the project was supported by Asian Development Bank with a budget of Rs 20 million for initial period to conduct study.

The government, through a cabinet decision, selected the North-South highway out of the three options given by experts in November.

However, the exact route of the much-awaited highway is yet to be fixed. The highway will use the proposed Outer Ring Road and then follow the banks of Bagmati river.

“It is yet to be decided which part of the Outer Ring Road will be chosen and which bank of the river will be used,” he said.

He added, “The road will follow the easiest banks and will have to cross the same river several times.”