Budget Shortfall Affects Suryabinayak-Dhulikhel Road Expansion

Construction work on the Suryabinayak–Dhulikhel road expansion is facing delays due to budget shortages, though progress continues on both sections of the project. Contractors have struggled to receive payments on time as funds have not been fully released, particularly for road and bridge construction.

The road, part of the Araniko Highway, connects Bhaktapur and Kavre districts and serves as a vital route for vehicles traveling to eastern hills and Terai districts via the BP Highway. The total length of the project is 15.8 kilometers, divided into two sections: Suryabinayak–Sanga (7.5 km) and Sanga–Dhulikhel (8.3 km).

According to project engineer Vishnu Prasad Khanal, the Suryabinayak–Sanga section is now 48% complete, with preparations underway for blacktopping. This section’s contract, awarded to Ashish Kumar Shrestha, Bandhan Bhagwati JV, is valued at NPR 3.88 billion. The deadline has been extended to 5 Mangsir 2083 after delays prevented completion within the original timeframe.

The Sanga–Dhulikhel section is progressing faster, with 65% of the work complete. Around 2.5 km of the planned six-lane road has already been blacktopped. This contract was awarded to Lama Construction for NPR 4.05 billion.

Three bridges are included in the project; Jagati, Punyamata, and Mahadev Khola each under separate contracts totaling NPR 57.5 million. While construction on one bridge has begun, work on the remaining two is still in preparation, including setting up camps and revisiting initial designs.

Vijay Jaisi, Director General of the Department of Roads, stated that the main obstacle is the budget allocation. Although NPR 60 crore has been set aside for the road and NPR 10 crore for bridges this fiscal year, additional funds are required to maintain smooth progress. The Ministry of Finance, however, has assured that no project will halt due to lack of funds, and payments to contractors are expected before the upcoming elections.

Despite the financial constraints, engineers remain confident that most of the work can be completed within the current fiscal year, provided budget allocations are made on time.

This expansion is seen as critical for improving connectivity between Bhaktapur and Kavre and easing traffic along one of the most important highways linking the Kathmandu Valley to eastern regions.