Recent floods and landslides in Nepal have caused significant damage to roads and bridges. Experts estimate that repairing all the affected structures will cost around 12.38 billion rupees.
The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport says this year’s monsoon-related damage to main highways, alternative roads, Bailey bridges, and permanent bridges will require about 10.68 billion rupees. Repairs from last year’s flood damage still need around 1.7 billion rupees.
Minister Kulman Ghising, in charge of energy, water resources, irrigation, physical infrastructure, transport, and urban development, said reopening blocked roads is a top priority. Equipment and manpower have been deployed to restore roads quickly, and the work is being closely monitored by the ministry and himself.
Mechi Highway suffered the most damage this year, with repairs estimated at 1.5 billion rupees. Other highways, including Koshi, Mid-Hill, Hulaki, Araniko, Kanti, and Narayanghat-Mugling, will need about 3.77 billion rupees for reconstruction.
Seventeen damaged permanent bridges are expected to cost 4.52 billion rupees to rebuild. Repairing damaged Bailey bridges and adding new ones will cost around 80 million rupees. Rebuilding alternative roads will require about 1.59 billion rupees.
Overall, the floods and landslides have caused major damage to Nepal’s road network. The government has begun repair work, but restoring connectivity across the country will be a large and challenging task.
