Er.energyNP@Gmail.com

Nepal has approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the upgrading of the 100-kilometre Pathlaiya–Hetauda–Narayanghat section of the East-West Highway, paving the way for a major road infrastructure project estimated to cost Rs54.29 billion.

The EIA report for the proposed road expansion across Bara district in Madhesh Province and Makwanpur and Chitwan districts in Bagmati Province was approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment in Shrawan 2083.

The project will be financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and aims to upgrade the existing two-lane highway to four lanes, including bridges and other supporting infrastructure.

The road begins at Pathlaiya in Bara district and ends at Gondrang in Chitwan district. It passes through Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City, Jitpursimara Sub-Metropolitan City, Khairahani Municipality, Ratnanagar Municipality, Rapti Municipality and Manahari Rural Municipality.

According to the EIA report, the estimated cost of road upgrading and bridge construction is Rs54.29 billion, including Rs54.293647 billion in the detailed estimate. The project is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed within three years.

Four-Lane Highway with Service Roads and Cycle Lanes

Under the project, the existing two-lane highway will be expanded to four lanes with asphalt concrete pavement and a three-metre-wide median island. Additional shoulders will be constructed wherever necessary within the existing 50-metre road right-of-way.

The proposed road width will vary according to the surrounding land use. It will be 50 metres in urban areas, 37.4 metres in semi-urban areas and 24 metres in rural and forest areas.

The project also includes pavement improvements, geometric corrections and upgrades at 20 intersections to improve traffic flow and road safety.

Service roads will be constructed on both sides of the highway, alongside dedicated cycle lanes. Footpaths will be provided in urban areas to improve pedestrian access and safety.

The plan also includes six overhead pedestrian bridges and 12 underpasses to provide safer crossing facilities.

These improvements are intended to reduce traffic congestion, improve travel quality and strengthen road safety along one of Nepal’s major transport corridors.

41 Bridges and 246 Box Culverts Planned

The project will involve extensive reconstruction and upgrading of drainage and river-crossing infrastructure.

According to the EIA report, 41 bridges and 246 box culverts will be constructed along the 100-kilometre corridor.

The structures will be designed according to specified flood-return periods. Bridges will be designed for a 100-year return-period flood, culverts for a 50-year return-period flood and roadside drains for a 25-year return-period flood.

These design standards are intended to improve the highway’s resilience to flooding and ensure the safe passage of water beneath and alongside the road.

The project will also include wildlife-crossing infrastructure to reduce the risks posed by highway expansion to animals moving through surrounding forests and habitats.

The report refers to wildlife passages at 21 locations, including two viaducts with a combined length exceeding four kilometres. The structures are intended to allow wildlife to cross the highway more safely and reduce the risk of vehicle collisions.

Construction Within Existing Road Boundary

The EIA report states that the proposed road expansion and bridge construction will be undertaken within the highway’s existing 50-metre right-of-way. As a result, the project is not expected to require additional permanent land beyond the existing road boundary.

The environmental assessment covers the proposed upgrading works across the three districts and includes wildlife-crossing structures and other infrastructure associated with the expansion.

The inclusion of wildlife passages and viaducts reflects the need to account for ecological connectivity while upgrading a major highway that passes through rural, urban and forest areas.

Part of ADB-Supported East-West Highway Programme

The Pathlaiya–Hetauda–Narayanghat project is part of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Road Improvement Project, which is upgrading approximately 270 kilometres of the East-West Highway, including bridges.

The wider programme covers three major sections:

- Kakarbhitta–Laukahi: 120 kilometres

- Butwal–Gorusinge: 50 kilometres

- Pathlaiya–Hetauda–Narayanghat: 100 kilometres

Together, these sections account for approximately 270 kilometres of highway improvements.

The East-West Highway is a major domestic transport and trade corridor in Nepal and also forms part of the Asian Highway network. Its upgrading is intended to improve connectivity, facilitate the movement of goods and passengers, and strengthen transport links across the country.

The Pathlaiya–Hetauda–Narayanghat section is particularly important because it connects industrial and commercial areas in the central Tarai with Hetauda and the wider Chitwan region.

Once completed, the four-lane road, upgraded bridges, improved intersections and supporting infrastructure are expected to increase road capacity and improve the reliability of travel along this strategic corridor.

With the EIA approved, the project has cleared an important environmental approval requirement. Its proposed implementation timeline envisages construction beginning in 2026 and completion within three years.