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The Government of Nepal has unveiled an ambitious new urban transport master plan for the Kathmandu Valley, proposing a Ratnapark–Bhaktapur metro rail, a double-deck underground tunnel between Chabahil and Gaushala, dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors, and 15 major road and bridge projects aimed at transforming the capital’s increasingly congested transportation network by 2050.

Prepared with technical assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the latest Kathmandu Valley Urban Transport System Master Plan was jointly presented on Thursday by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and JICA. After incorporating feedback from stakeholders, the government plans to seek Cabinet approval before moving toward implementation.

The proposed projects are estimated to require an investment exceeding Rs 200 billion, making it one of the most comprehensive urban transport blueprints ever prepared for the Kathmandu Valley.

Fourth Attempt at a Long-Term Transport Vision

The latest master plan is the fourth such roadmap prepared for Kathmandu. Previous plans were developed in 1993, 2012, and 2017, but none were fully implemented.

Government officials said the updated blueprint incorporates changing urban growth patterns, increasing traffic demand, and emerging transportation challenges while setting a long-term vision for sustainable public transport through 2050.

According to the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, the plan focuses on creating a safe, efficient, affordable, and environmentally sustainable transport system capable of accommodating the valley’s rapidly growing population.

Ratnapark–Bhaktapur Metro Rail Prioritized

Among the most significant proposals is a 14.6-kilometre metro rail line connecting Ratnapark and Bhaktapur, identified as the highest priority project for detailed feasibility studies.

The east-west metro corridor would serve as the backbone of Kathmandu’s future mass transit system and would be integrated with Bus Rapid Transit services and other public transport modes to create a seamless urban mobility network.

According to the master plan, sections passing through densely populated inner-city areas and the Jadibuti-Koteshwor corridor would operate underground to minimize disruption and improve operational efficiency.

Officials believe the metro could substantially reduce dependence on private vehicles while easing chronic congestion on one of the valley’s busiest transport corridors.

Three High-Capacity Transit Corridors Identified

The master plan identifies three major corridors suitable for high-capacity public transportation:

- The Ring Road corridor

- A North-South corridor

- An East-West corridor connecting Ratnapark and Bhaktapur

While the Ratnapark–Bhaktapur corridor has been prioritized for metro development, the Ring Road is proposed to accommodate a dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system operating in exclusive lanes.

However, planners acknowledged that certain sections, particularly between Chabahil and Gaushala, lack sufficient road width to introduce dedicated BRT lanes, leading to the proposal for underground infrastructure instead.

Double-Deck Tunnel Planned Beneath Heritage Corridor

One of the most technically challenging proposals is the construction of a 1,562-metre double-deck tunnel road beneath the Chabahil–Gaushala section.

The corridor passes through an area containing multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites and historically significant monuments. To preserve these heritage structures while improving traffic flow, the master plan proposes maintaining the existing four-lane surface road while constructing an additional four-lane underground tunnel beneath it.

Officials stressed that the project would only proceed after conducting a comprehensive Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) to evaluate potential impacts on nearby historical and archaeological sites.

The tunnel concept is intended to address one of Kathmandu’s worst traffic bottlenecks without disturbing the valley’s cultural heritage.

Fifteen Major Road and Bridge Projects Proposed

In addition to mass transit systems, the master plan includes 15 strategic road and bridge projects designed to improve traffic circulation across the valley.

Key proposals include:

- Construction of a 308-metre underpass at Maharajgunj

- A 3.4-kilometre elevated highway along the Bishnumati River Corridor

- Widening the 2.5-kilometre Gaushala–Tinkune Ring Road section

- Development of a new river corridor road between Thapathali and Tripureshwor

- Upgrading the Bagmati River Corridor

- Expansion of the UN Park Bridge

- Construction of new bridges over the Bishnumati and Dhobikhola rivers

- New bridges at Gwarko, Karmanasa, and Thapathali

- Development of feeder roads connecting to the Ring Road

- Extension of the Balaju–Bishnumati River Corridor

These projects are expected to strengthen Kathmandu’s road network while reducing congestion at key intersections.

Wider Transport Reforms Beyond Infrastructure

The master plan extends beyond physical infrastructure and outlines several policy and urban mobility reforms.

Among its proposals are:

- Development of utility corridors along major roads

- Declaring Thamel and all three Durbar Squares as car-free zones

- Modernization of major intersections with intelligent traffic management systems

- Expansion of cycling lanes

- Road safety improvement projects

- Creation of an emergency road network to ensure ambulance and emergency vehicle movement during highway closures

- Development of off-street parking facilities in high-demand areas, including Ratnapark

Officials said these measures are intended to encourage public transport use while making Kathmandu more pedestrian-friendly and environmentally sustainable.

Population Growth Driving Long-Term Planning

JICA officials said the master plan is based on projected population growth through 2050.

Kathmandu Valley’s population is estimated to have increased from 2.42 million in 2011 to approximately 2.94 million in 2021. By 2050, the population is projected to reach around 4.2 million.

The plan assumes that the proposed transport infrastructure will be capable of accommodating this future demand while supporting urban expansion into suburban municipalities.

According to planners, recent residential growth has shifted toward areas farther from Kathmandu’s traditional urban core, requiring transport infrastructure that better connects peripheral settlements.

Existing Traffic Challenges

The study identifies several structural weaknesses in Kathmandu’s current transport system, including:

- Narrow roads and bottlenecks

- Inadequate bridges and approach roads

- Severe parking shortages

- Lack of intelligent traffic signal systems

- Increasing road accidents

- Poor driver discipline

- Weak regulatory enforcement

Officials noted that growing motorcycle ownership has intensified congestion and highlighted the urgent need for high-capacity public transportation.

The valley currently has more than 200 public transport routes, over 65 transport operators, approximately 700 to 1,000 large buses, nearly 4,000 minibuses and microbuses, around 700 tempos, and roughly 12,000 taxis.

Government Seeks a Sustainable Urban Mobility Future

According to Sushil Babu Dhakal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, the master plan was prepared under the guidance of a committee chaired by the ministry’s secretary, with JICA providing technical assistance.

He said the plan aims to establish a comprehensive public transport system through 2050 that prioritizes accessibility, safety, and sustainability.

National Planning Commission member Arjun Jung Thapa said many transport projects implemented over the past decade lacked integration under a unified master plan. He noted that the government revised the unimplemented 2017 plan to reflect changing urban realities and future transport needs.

He added that the proposed Chabahil–Gaushala tunnel was specifically conceived to improve mobility while protecting the valley’s invaluable cultural heritage, underscoring the government’s effort to balance infrastructure development with heritage conservation.