Nepal’s Ring Road Expansion Stalled Despite Signed Agreement with China

Years after discussions first began on the expansion of the second section of Kathmandu’s ring road, construction remains stagnant, with no clear start date in sight. Even though representatives of the Nepalese and Chinese governments signed a letter of cooperation on August 22, 2024, the process has yet to advance.

The second phase, which aims to extend an 8.2 km stretch of road from Kalanki to Vasundhara culvert with a Chinese grant, has seen considerable delays. The first section of the ring road, spanning Koteshwar to Kalanki, was initiated in 2069 BS and completed in 2075 BS. However, the second phase has yet to progress due to delays attributed to both the Nepalese and Chinese governments over the years.

Krishnanath Ojha, Head of the Kathmandu Ring Road Expansion Project, mentioned that while the two countries’ officials had signed an agreement, the official document has not yet arrived in Nepal. “All the preparatory work has been completed,” Ojha stated. “There has been some delay due to a lack of construction materials, including the service track.”

The 2018 government-to-government (G2G) agreement with China had initially paved the way for expansion. However, the Chinese government expressed reluctance to commence until all preparatory work was finished on the Nepalese side. Similarly, Deputy Director General of the Roads Department, Bijay Jaisi, confirmed that, despite the letter of support being signed, there has been no recent update. “It was signed in the presence of the Ministry of Finance and Chinese high officials,” he said.

Adding to the frustration, former Secretary Tulsi Sitaula noted that the size of China’s grant for the project is small, potentially impacting the road’s expansion timeline. “It’s easier to take a loan for quicker progress,” Sitaula said, “but the time-consuming nature of working with a grant is causing delays.”

To press for action, ten MPs from Kathmandu submitted a proposal to parliament in June regarding the stalled expansion. The narrow, deteriorating road section has led to significant traffic congestion, while dust and mud make it uncomfortable for locals and harmful to nearby businesses. In a symbolic move, then-MP (now Minister of Health and Population) Pradeep Paudel led a 12-kilometer group walk from Kalanki to Chabahil on June 15, highlighting the urgency of the expansion. However, residents allege that despite these efforts, no substantial progress has been made.

The Chinese Henan Communications Planning and Design Institute conducted a study in February 2022 to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) within two months, though the report has not yet been provided. According to the Roads Department, DPR completion alone could take six months if work began now.

China’s technical team signaled that construction would start within ten months of the signed agreement, yet progress on either side has stalled. According to Sushilbabu Dhakal, Joint Secretary and Spokesperson of Nepal’s Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, there are indications that China’s technical team might soon revisit Nepal to advance the project. However, until clear steps are taken, the expansion of the ring road remains indefinitely delayed.