The work of extending the Prithvi Highway from Ambukhairahani in Tanahun to Pokhara in Kaski has progressed at a very slow pace. The 80 km road which is being expanded with the loan support of the Asian Development Bank has not yet been able to keep up with the expected speed of expansion.
Ambu-Pokhara road widening
During the expansion of the road, the road is dirty due to the work of cutting the wall in some places. The residents of nearby settlements are hoping that when the road expansion work will be completed and they will be freed from the dust.
Almost one and a half years have passed since the construction of the 80 km road section was divided into two parts. However, progress is only around 10 percent. Chinese companies have got a contract for both packages. Despite the relatively easy geography, the contractor company is not able to increase the speed of work. The current season is considered the prime time for work. The officials of the project say that if the work cannot be speeded up at this time, there will be rain in a few months and the work will not be possible.
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The work of cutting the road walls, installing retaining walls, and making drains is going on. While the work of cutting trees is almost over, the work of moving electricity poles is still left.
The existing road will be expanded to 6 lanes with service lanes in urban areas and four lanes in other areas. A median of 3 meters will be formed in the middle of it. It is mentioned in the design that there will be three medians in 6 lanes. The road will have 6 lanes in Bimalnagar, Dumre, Damauli, Khairhanitar, and other market areas.
After expansion, there will be a 7-7 meter road on both sides of the median. One lane will be 3.5 meters. Greenery belts will be prepared in the medians of urban areas and trees and flowers will be planted. A 2.5-meter soldier (extra pitch) will be made on the right and left sides of the four-lane road. It protects the vehicle from accidents even if it has to leave the main lane and also keeps the main lane strong.
