KATHMANDU: Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal on Friday began an inspection of the Karnali Highway, starting from Surkhet, to assess road conditions and ongoing infrastructure needs across the Karnali region.

The minister is scheduled to travel by road through Dailekh, Kalikot, Jumla, and Mugu, with an overnight stop in Manma, Kalikot. He will also inspect the Nagma-Mugu road before continuing by road to Bajura and flying to Humla to review road infrastructure there.

The Karnali Highway, which stretches 232 kilometers from Birendranagar to Jumla, has long been criticized for its poor condition and is often referred to as a “death road” due to frequent accidents.

Last month, Lamsal told the House of Representatives that potholes on roads across the country would be eliminated within three years, saying regular, scheduled maintenance would replace piecemeal repairs.