KAVRE: The planned nighttime closure of the Dhulikhel-Khawa section of the Araniko Highway has been postponed after recent rainfall disrupted ongoing road construction, officials said.

The Road Division Office said heavy rain washed away the prepared road sub-base and damaged sections earmarked for the first phase of asphalt paving, making it impossible to proceed with the scheduled work. As a result, the planned 15-day nighttime traffic restriction, which was to begin on Monday from 7 PM to 5 AM, has been deferred.

Engineer Sitaram Budhathoki said the contractor informed the office that the construction schedule would have to be revised due to weather-related setbacks.

Earlier, the District Security Committee, Kavrepalanchowk, had decided to close the road to all vehicles at night until July 20, while imposing additional restrictions on heavy freight vehicles to facilitate the upgrading of the 4-kilometer road section. The project had already faced delays after authorities allowed construction material transport to continue during the end of the fiscal year. Earlier this year, 2.5 kilometers of the road were asphalted under similar traffic restrictions.