A JICA-prepared study has proposed 22 road and traffic projects for Kathmandu Valley to ease congestion and movement delays.
Short-term priorities
Planned for the 2032 phase are the Maharajgunj underpass (308.9 m), Ring Road widening from Gaushala to Tinkune (2,519.7 m), a new Bagmati corridor from Thapathali to Tripureshwar (958.3 m), Bagmati-side road upgrading (804 m) and the UN Park bridge widening (76.5 m). This phase also includes new bridges in the Vishnumati, Dhobikhola, Karmanasa, Gwarko and Thapathali areas. The plan also lists the Balaju–Vishnumati river corridor (1,100 m).
Medium- and long-term works
For 2040, the study proposes the Chabahil–Gaushala underground tunnel (1,562.8 m) and a utility corridor network below major branch roads (4,160 m). For 2050, it proposes the Chabahil–Bagmati elevated highway (3,400 m), the Vishnumati river corridor elevated highway (3,620.5 m) and an 11,300 m road linking key nodes.
The plan also calls for 7,434 m of cycle lanes, car-free zones in Thamel, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square, centralised traffic signals, 23 junction upgrades in the short term and 85 in the medium term, plus 1,68,635 m of emergency road network.
Writes on vehicle pricing, taxation and the Nepali auto market from ongoing tracking of distributor price lists. Editorial policy.
