Hetauda–Kathmandu Traffic Routes Revised Following Increased Vehicle Pressure

Vehicular movement between Hetauda and Kathmandu has been reorganised from today following increased traffic pressure on the alternative routes after the Prithvi Highway was blocked by a major landslide at Krishna Bhir.

According to a traffic management notice issued by the local administration, small passenger vehicles with a capacity of fewer than 14 seats will now use different routes depending on their direction of travel.

Vehicles travelling from Hetauda towards Kathmandu will use the Bhimfedi–Kulekhani–Sisneri–Dakshinkali route. Meanwhile, vehicles travelling from Kathmandu towards Hetauda will have to use the Pharping–Phakhel–Kulekhani–Bhimfedi route.

The revised arrangement has been introduced after the disruption at Krishna Bhir caused a significant increase in vehicle movement along the Hetauda–Kathmandu road corridor. The administration expects the new one-way route arrangement to help reduce congestion and prolonged stoppages along the alternative roads.

For cargo vehicles and large passenger vehicles, the route arrangement has also been revised. These vehicles travelling towards Kathmandu will use Tribhuvan Rajpath, while those returning from Kathmandu towards Hetauda will use Kanti Lokpath.

The District Administration Office, Makwanpur, has also warned that the load-bearing capacity of the Bailey bridge near Tribhuvan Rajpath in Makwanpur is weak. Fuel tankers and heavy cargo vehicles have therefore been requested not to use the Bailey bridge and instead operate through the adjacent diversion.

Alternative Routes from Western Nepal Remain Unchanged

Alternative roads remain available for vehicles travelling towards Kathmandu from western parts of the country and for smaller vehicles affected by the Krishna Bhir blockage.

Small and medium-sized four-wheelers can travel from Fisling through Agridanda, Toman Danda, Bantaar, Dalbhanjyang, Raniswara, Thulo Darbung, Darbung Phant and Siurenitar before reaching Benighat. The alternative stretch is around 32 km and can then be used to continue towards Kathmandu.

For motorcycles, an alternative route is available from ahead of Majhimtar via the suspension bridge at Jyamireghat, Siurenitar and Benighat, before continuing towards Kathmandu.

Vehicles travelling to Kathmandu from Kaski, Lamjung and Tanahun can also use the route through Gorkha Bazaar, Bunkot, Namjung, Fuzel and Darbung–Siurenitar, before reaching Benighat and continuing towards Kathmandu.

Drivers using the alternative routes have been asked to maintain patience and discipline, follow their assigned turns, avoid overtaking and comply with instructions from traffic police and security personnel deployed along the routes.

The Krishna Bhir section of the Prithvi Highway was severely damaged after a landslide triggered by flooding in the Trishuli River swept away part of the road. Authorities have indicated that restoring the damaged section could take at least one month.

Nepal Drives requests travellers to call the Traffic Police hotline at 103 to check the latest road conditions before starting their journey.

Photo: Internet