Kathmandu’s long‑running traffic jams may see a new kind of solution: roads built above the existing streets.
A new Kathmandu Valley Urban Transport System Master Plan prepared by the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport together with JICA proposes a network of elevated highways along three of the capital’s busiest corridors.
What is being proposed?
- Around 8.44 km of elevated highway on three key routes in Kathmandu Valley.
- Total construction cost is estimated between Rs 82 billion and Rs 111 billion, depending on final designs and alignment choices.
The three proposed sections are:
- Maitighar–Thapathali–Tripureshwor: A 1.422 km, two‑lane elevated road to help traffic move more smoothly through the central business district.
- Chabahil–Bagmati corridor: A 3.4 km, two‑lane elevated highway from Chabahil Chowk to the Bagmati River, plus a one‑way ramp at Jorpati towards Chabahil.
- Bishnumati corridor: A 3.62 km, four‑lane elevated highway along the Bishnumati Corridor to ease pressure on western and southern Kathmandu. The structure is planned to be at least 20 metres away from the riverbank to limit flood risks.
Because the Chabahil–Bagmati route passes near Boudhanath Stupa, any construction there would need a formal Heritage Impact Assessment and archaeological study. If experts find the current alignment harmful to the heritage site, the route would have to be changed.
How would elevated highways work?
An elevated highway is built on reinforced concrete pillars above ground level. It usually:
- Removes junctions, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings from the main carriageway.
- Allows vehicles to run at higher, more consistent speeds.
- Reduces the need for large‑scale land acquisition compared to widening ground‑level roads.
However, these projects demand much higher construction costs and more complex engineering than normal road expansion. The report also suggests checking if the highway pillars could later support railway infrastructure, opening the door for future mass transit upgrades.
More big transport projects in the pipeline
Beyond flyovers, the master plan lists 13 additional transport projects aimed at modernising the Valley’s road system. These include:
- Road tunnels and underpasses
- Overpasses and modern bridges
- Underground parking facilities
- New transport corridors
Together, these extra projects would require over Rs 200 billion in investment.
JICA and the Government of Nepal began working on this master plan in 2024, and the study is now in its final stage, with submission to the government expected soon. JICA, whose earlier master plans in 1991 and 2007 were never implemented, has advised that the new plan receive Cabinet‑level approval to improve the chances that these projects—including the elevated highways—actually move from paper to construction.
For vehicle users in Kathmandu, successful implementation would mean fewer bottlenecks, shorter travel times and more predictable commutes, especially along the three proposed elevated corridors.
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