National 4 (Spotlight Weekly)

'We Need An Alternative Road Link We Can Afford And Build In Time'

— DINESH C. PYAKURAL

DINESH C. PYAKURAL, secretary at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works, is a prominent civil engineer serving in the highest bureaucratic post of an important ministry. Known for his frank comments, Pyakural is remembered for having helped begin the execution of the Melamchi Water Supply Scheme. A young and dynamic senior bureaucrat, Pyakural spoke to SPOTLIGHT on the policies of the government on building an alternative road link to Kathmandu. Excerpts:

Considering the frequent disturbances and high traffic volume on the existing roads linking Kathmandu with the rest of the country, does the government plan to construct a more reliable and faster alternative?

The government is seriously considering building an alternative fast-track road to link Kathmandu with the terai, especially Birgunj, where we have already constructed a dry port and broad gauge railway line. The government has agreed in principle to link the Birgunj dry port with a fast-track road. The two existing roads, Tribhuvan Rajpath and the Mugling-Kathmandu portion of Prithvi Highway, which link the capital city with the country's major trade center Birjgunj, are geologically vulnerable. Since both roads are facing frequent disturbances, there has been a realization in the government to build another fast-track road.

Have you conducted studies on building an alternative road?

The government has completed some studies and is encouraging others. First, such a road should be technically, socially and environmentally feasible and economically viable. We can reach Birgunj in the shortest time by constructing a tunnel or another road, but at what cost? R.S. International, a private company, has sent us a proposal on constructing the Hetauda fast-track or tunnel road. We are also looking at the Bagmati corridor. Our present thinking is to build a road at affordable costs and time. NEBECON, a consulting firm, has been doing a study on the Bagmati corridor road. This road will link Kathmandu to the southern plains along the bank of Bagmati River. The corridor road will take us to Bakiya River about five kilometers west of Nijgadh. First, we need a detailed study to fix our objective. There is no need to hurry into any proposal.

What is the position of the existing roads?

The transport volume on the Kathmandu-Naubise portion of Tribhuvan Rajpath has already reached saturation point. Even after the opening of the Dhulikhel-Bardibas road, the Naubise-Mugling portion of Prithvi Highway will be in saturation point by 2010. The Dhulikhel-Bardibas road can divert traffic pressure of the eastern part of the country, but it is a narrow-lane road and cannot function as a fast-track link. It will function as a local road and will promote the local economy. Nepal will benefit from a fast-track road linking the capital with the terai. The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of such a road is 25-30 percent higher. Because of high IRR, private parties have shown interest. There is a huge amount of unused money in the bank, which we can use here. Since we have little experiences of Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT), we are facing difficulty in inviting the private sector. The government has already tabled a bill in the parliament on BOT. After the passage of the bill, it will encourage the private sector.

How do you see the possibility of developing Kanti Rajpath as an alternative road?

The South Koreans are undertaking a detailed study of Kanti Rajpath. Their initial proposal was just to study ways of improving the existing structure. When I read the proposal, I requested them to conduct the study keeping in mind the possibility of developing Kanti Rajpath as a double-lane fast-track alternative. But some engineers who have been studying the Bagmati corridor road argued that Kanti Rajpath is geologically fragile. Even after improvements, it is not going to be reliable fast-track road.

What is the Bagmati corridor road?

The proposed Bagmati corridor is a fast-track road and will serve as the shortest alternative link between the capital the southern plains. The road will begin from Kathmandu and will follow the Bagmati before turning west to Nijgadh. Our target is not just to link Hetauda but also to take the road out of Hetauda. Our main aim is to link Mahendra Highway or the dry port. The length of the Kathmandu-Pathlaiya section will be 95 kilometers through the proposed Bagmati corridor. If we build a fast-track road, it will take one and a half hours to reach the terai.

Don't you see the possibility of using the Pharping-Chaimale-Bhimphedi and Hetauda road as an alternative?

It can act as a local road. It will supplement the local area and help to improve the local economy. The Pharping-Chaimale-Bhimphedi road cannot be an alternative fast-track link. The Bhimphedi-Kulekhani road was built two decades ago and is of high grading. It cannot be sustained as a fast-track road.

What about using the Dhulikhel-Bardibas road as an alternative link?

This is a very good road, as the Japanese have been making every effort to make it sustainable. Had we made a design for a wider road in the early stage, there would have been a possibility of developing it as a fast-track road. Prithvi Rajmarg was a single-track road when it was built, but we widened it later to develop an alternative road. We missed an opportunity to convince the donor about our necessities. I have requested the Japanese side to widen the road in Nepalthok-Phurkot section which will pass along the Sunkoshi river. On the existing road, it will take a four-hour drive to reach Bardibas. If we develop it as a fast-track road, it will take just 2-3 hours. A fast-track road has many economic advantages. A truck that passes through Narayanghat-Mugling to Kathmandu, will have to bear an additional Rs.2,000. Even if we charge a Rs.1,000 toll on a fast-track road, it will reduce the cost. Although there is much geological vulnerability, I personally prefer the Bagmati corridor road since it will link Kathmandu to Mahendra Highway.

What options do you have for the next five to 10 years?

Naturally, we don't have many options for fast-track road. We will have to wait until 2007 when the Dhulikhel-Bardibas road will be completed. If things go as planned, the fast-track Bagmati corridor road will be completed by 2009-2010. For our immediate needs, Kanti Rajpath will be the best alternative. Kanti Rajpath has already been completed as a fair-weather road. If we build a bridge over the Bagmati, it can be operated in all seasons. We will open traffic for light vehicle in the Kanti Rajpath from coming season. It will be operational in the winter, since vehicles will cross the Bagmati when the water level goes down. As we have sanctioned additional budget to the Hetauda side, Kanti Rajpath shall be operational in coming season. If we invest 2-3 billion rupees in Kanti Rajpath, it will serve our immediate interest to make it a fast-track road. A new fast-track road will require an investment of at least 10-15 billion rupees.