KATHMANDU/CHITWAN: The Narayanghat–Muglin Highway, a critical 36-kilometer stretch of the Prithvi Highway connecting to the East-West Highway, reopened for two-way traffic late Thursday, nearly three days after a massive landslide blocked the road near the Tuin Khola River.

The landslide, which struck Tuesday at 4:55 p.m., covered approximately 160 meters of the highway, displacing at least 15,000 cubic meters of debris. Excavators, loaders, and backhoe loaders were deployed to remove the rubble, which was dumped into the Trishuli River. Despite continuous work throughout Wednesday and Thursday, crews had to operate under floodlights Thursday evening to clear the final sections.

The closure stranded long-distance buses, trucks, and freight vehicles along the route, though some managed to reroute via alternative paths. Police confirmed that most vehicles were able to resume their journeys immediately after the road reopened. Chitwan Police Chief SP Govinda Puri said law enforcement personnel were stationed along the route to enforce lane discipline and ensure smooth traffic flow.

Authorities warned motorists that the area remains at risk for further landslides, particularly during heavy rainfall. Other vulnerable sections along the highway, including Kalikhola, Topekhola, Namsikhola, Chisenzikhola, and Simaltal, remain under close monitoring. Motorists are advised not to park near bridges or stop in high-risk areas and to travel only after checking current road conditions.

The highway has been repeatedly affected by landslides in recent weeks. Earlier this month, a landslide temporarily blocked the road, which reopened for partial and later full traffic before being blocked again on Tuesday. Local authorities said a senior operator, Raju Magar, was injured by falling rocks while clearing debris from the Namsi bridge earlier this week.

The reopening of this key route is expected to relieve transport congestion in Chitwan and beyond, allowing goods and commuters to move more freely after nearly 54 hours of disruption.

The landslide that struck 2.5 kilometers from Muglin toward Narayanghat had blocked one of the busiest highways connecting Kathmandu and Pokhara with the East–West Highway.

At its peak, up to six heavy machines were mobilized to clear the debris. The recurring blockages left hundreds of vehicles stranded, causing major distress for travelers—particularly during the Dashain festival rush, when over 10,000 vehicles use the highway daily.