Kathmandu— Construction on the Bhedetar–Rabi–Ranke road, intended to connect Morang, Panchthar and Ilam districts in eastern Nepal via a hilltop route, began eight years ago but remains incomplete. The $32.61 million project, funded by a loan from India’s Exim Bank and contracted to F.K. Infra Tech Pvt. Ltd., was slated for blacktopping upgrades in 2018, yet physical progress has stalled at 71 percent. Multiple deadline extensions have failed to yield substantial completion, with the latest expiring this November, leaving local residents frustrated and hindering regional development.

Project Delays and Extensions

The contract for upgrading the road was initially signed in 2018, but progress remained slow during the first four years due to challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, disputes over compensation for land acquisition, issues with forest clearances, and disruptions related to electricity supply. Only 12 percent of the work was completed during this initial period. While construction picked up in the following four years, reaching 58 percent completion overall, recent landslides and soil erosion have once again hampered efforts. The current deadline extension is set to expire in November, but officials express little confidence that the project will be finished by then.

Construction Challenges

The road stretches approximately 100 kilometers from Bhedetar in Dhankuta to Ranke in Panchthar, traversing several rural municipalities across multiple districts. Project Chief Ashutosh Karn noted that while sections within Dhankuta have seen some progress, areas in Panchthar and Ilam are lagging behind. Currently, 22 kilometers of the road has been completed with double-lane blacktopping, and an additional 20 kilometers features single-lane blacktopping. Engineers cite difficult terrain as a major obstacle, alongside issues implementing the planned double bituminous surface treatment (DBST) pavement due to cold temperatures and frequent rainfall.

Local Impact and Expectations

The delayed completion of the Bhedetar–Rabi–Ranke road is causing growing disappointment among residents who had anticipated improved connectivity and economic opportunities. Jitendra Rai, chair of Sangurigadhi Rural Municipality, emphasized that the road would not only ease travel for local people but also boost tourism in the region, urging its swift completion. Yagya Kumari Ruchal, a resident of Chaubise Rural Municipality in Dhankuta, expressed the widespread frustration, stating that while initial expectations were high, there is now uncertainty about when – or if – the road will be finished.

Political Origins and Initial Optimism

The foundation stone for the blacktopping project was laid by then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in December 2018 at Rabi Bazaar in Panchthar. The contract for upgrades was awarded after the road had already been in use for some time, initially generating optimism among local communities. However, years of delays have eroded that initial enthusiasm, leaving residents questioning the project’s future.

As the latest deadline approaches, it remains unclear whether the Bhedetar–Rabi–Ranke road will be completed on schedule or if further extensions will be necessary to address ongoing challenges and fulfill the long-awaited promise of improved connectivity for eastern Nepal.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.