BHAKTAPUR: Concern has been raised over delays in the ongoing expansion of the Suryabinayak–Dhulikhel road section, which is being upgraded into a six-lane highway connecting Bhaktapur to Kavrepalanchok.

During a meeting held in Banepa on Sunday between the project team, construction companies, and stakeholders, emphasis was placed on speeding up construction works to ensure smooth traffic movement before the monsoon season.

Construction parties have committed to keeping service lanes and auxiliary roads in the Banepa area operational without obstruction.

Immediate work will be carried out to reopen blocked service lanes and access roads near the Punymata Khola and Bhainsepati Khola bridges in Banepa.

To reduce flooding in the Pulbazar area during the rainy season, plans include deepening and cleaning the Punymata Khola and carrying out conservation works. Structural safety work on bridges over the river is also set to be completed soon.

Stakeholders stressed that even if full blacktopping of the main road is not immediately possible, service tracks must remain safe and operational.

They expressed concern that delays and poor road conditions have been disrupting daily travel and increasing the risk of accidents.

According to the project, physical progress of the 15.8-kilometre road expansion has reached around 70 percent.

While blacktopping of the main lanes is being prepared, the work has been affected by a shortage of bitumen. The project office said efforts are underway to manage the required materials.

The road expansion project began three years ago, but construction has slowed in the past two months due to shortages of materials, rising costs, and supply difficulties.

Although the goal was to complete most of the work within the current fiscal year, the target has been affected.

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