Much of Nepal’s rural population lives in remote areas, distant from urban centres. Until some years back, these populations had difficulties accessing higher level education, hospitals/advanced healthcare and other public services typically provided in urban areas. In recent years, however, the government has made progress through large scale investments in road infrastructure that have dramatically changed the rural lifestyle in Nepal. Increasing road network has a direct impact on the economic activities. 

 

Today, transport is considered an engine for growth and roads are vital to the prosperity of our nation, connecting people to jobs and businesses to markets. With the construction of the road in the village, a number of problems faced by people have come to an end. Road network is one of most important infrastructures that help in opening up new markets, linking markets, and enhancing development of supply chains, among others. For the people of these districts, the resulting roads mean better educational opportunities, healthier lives, market access, and a means to fulfill their hopes and aspirations. 

 

In 1974-75, total road network created was 3,173 kilometer, of which 1,575 km was black topped, 416 km was graveled, and 1,182 km was fair weathered roads. This has increased substantially now. 

 

In the last fiscal year along, some 128 Kilometer road was blacktopped, 169 km was graveled and 320 km earthened road was constructed making the length of blacktopped road 10,320 km. Similarly, a total of 5,828 km road has been graveled and 8,435 km earthen as of mid-March 2013, according to the Economic Survey released recently by Finance Ministry. All districts have road access now except two – Humla and Dolpa. If a few stretches in between are opened, one can travel from Illam in the east to Kathmandu on his vehicle without going down to the Terai. Similarly, road connectivity with China has also added value to the Nepal’s economic sector. 

 

The government is trying to make the road investment strategy clear and long-term. Private sector has been also showing interest to invest in the road sector. The government has finally decided to start Kathmandu-Kulekhani-Hetauda tunnel road project under public-private joint investment model. The project, which is being executed under the private, public and people’s partnership (4Ps) model based on the Private Financing in Build and Operation of Infrastructure Act 2006 (BOOT Act), is estimated to cost Rs 34.5 billion. The government is also mulling to invite private sector to construct other roads project too.

 

Major Highways 

• East-West Highway 
• Banepa-Bardibas Highway 
• Prithvi Higway 
• Arniko Highway 
• Shiddarth Highway 
• Tribhuvan Highway 

Some Other Roads 

• Kathmandu Dhunche Road 
• Biratnagar to Hile Road 
• Narayanghat to Gorkha Road 
• Nepalganj Surkhet Road 
• Dhangadhi Dadeldhura Road 
• Beni Jomsom Road 

Under Construction 

• Kathmandu-Kulekhani-Hetauda tunnel road 
• Mid-Hill Highway 
• Kathmandu-Nijgad Fast Track 
• Simikot-Hilsa Road 
• Rasuwa- Kerung Road