Renovation of Barhabise-Larcha on cards

KATHMANDU, Nov 27:

The renovation of Barhabise-Larcha section of the Araniko Highway is on the cards.

According to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT), a technical team sent by the Chinese government has already completed preliminary study of the 17.5-kilometer road section. The road section is being renovated under Chinese assistance.

Tulasi Prasad Sitaula, secretary of MoPIT, said the works to prepare detailed project report (DPR) will begin soon.
The MoPIT had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chinese government to renovate the road section about a month ago.

The road section was washed away by the flood and landside in 1992. The government has been spending around Rs 50 million annually for its maintenance ever since.
As per the preliminary study, the section will have two lanes and lay-bys for emergency parking on either sides of the road. The road will be 9.5 meters wide. The project is estimated to cost Rs 1 billion and expected to complete within two years.

The dilapidated road section has been hampering movement of vehicles along the only motorable road linking Nepal and China.

The renovation of 6.5-kilometer Larcha-Tatopani section of Araniko Highway is currently underway under assistance of the Chinese government. The road section is said to be key for the success of the Larcha dry port which is being constructed with Chinese assistance.

Araniko Highway is also a part of the Asian Highway.

Source: Republica