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2.3 Nepal Road Network

OverviewPrimary Roads in NepalMajor Road Construction ProjectsDistance MatrixRoad SecurityWeighbridges and Axle Load LimitsRoad Class and Surface ConditionsProvince 1Province 2 Bagmati ProvinceGandaki ProvinceProvince 5Karnali Province Sudurpashchim Province 

Overview

Roads are the predominant mode of transport in Nepal. Road network of Nepal is categorized into the strategic road network (SRN), which comprises of highways and feeder roads, and the local road network (LRN), comprising of district roads and Urban roads. Nepal’s road network consists of about 64,500 km of roads. Of these, about 13,500 km belong to the SRN, the core network of national highways and feeder roads connecting district headquarters.

 (Picture : )Nepal Road Standard 2070

The network density is low, at 14 kms per 100 km2 and 0.9 km per 1,000 people. 60% of the road network is concentrated in the lowland (Terai) areas. A Department of Roads (DoR’s) survey shows that 50% of the population of the hill areas still must walk two hours to reach an SRN road. Two of the 77 district headquarters, namely Humla, and Dolpa are yet to be connected to the SRN.

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(Source: )Sector Assessment [Summary]: Road Transport

Primary Roads in Nepal

S.N.

Rd. Ref. No.

Name of Highway Length (km)

Node Feature Remarks

Start Point End Point

1 H01 Mahendra Highway 1027.67 Mechi Bridge, Jhapa Border

Gadda chowki Border, Kanchanpur

East to West of Country

2 H02 Tribhuvan Highway 159.66 Tribhuvan Statue, Tripureshwor

Sirsiya Bridge, Birgunj Border

Connects biggest Customs to Capital

3 H03 Arniko Highway 112.83 Maitighar Junction, KTM Friendship Bridge, Kodari Border

Connects Chinese border to Capital

4 H04 Prithvi Highway 173.43 Naubise (TRP) Prithvi Chowk, Pokhara Connects Province 3 to Province 4

5 H05 Narayanghat - Mugling Highway

36.16 Pulchowk, Naryanghat (PRM)

 Mugling Naryanghat to Mugling

6 H06 Dhulikhel Sindhuli Bhittamod Highway

198 Bhittamod border, Jaleshwor

Dhulikhel (ARM) 135.94 Km. completed, Major route to eastern part of Country

7 H07 Mechi Highway 268.06 Kechana Border, Bhadrapur

Taplejung

8 H08 Koshi Highway 111.46 Rani Border, Biratnagar Hile

9 H09 Sagarmatha Highway 265 Kadmaha, Saptari (MRM) Solusalleri   Solukhumbu 53.97 km. completed

10 H010 Siddhartha Highway 181.22 Sunauli Border Prithvi Chowk, Pokhara

11 H011 Rapti Highway 196 Ameliya, Dang (MRM) Musikot, Rukum 168.54 km Completed

12 H012 Ratna Highway 113.08 Jamuniya Border, Nepalgunj

Bangesimal, Surkhet

13 H013 Karnali Highway 220 Surkhet, Bangesimal Jumla, Kalikot 113 km Completed

14 H014 Mahakali Highway 320 Mohana Bridge, Dhangadhi Border

Darchula 307.76 km Completed

15 H015 Seti Highway 65.96 Syaule, Dadeldhura Samuwagad - In Safe Road

Completed

16. H017 Postal Highway 1792 Kechana Kawal Dodhara Alternative road to H01, east to west in Terai, ongoing project

17. KTM-Terai Fast Track (Expressway)

Nijgarh, Bara Khokana, Lalitpur Prioritized Mega highway project

18. H018 Pushpa Lal Highway 1,776 Chiyabhanjyang, Panchthar

Jhulalghat, Baitadi Alternative road to H01, east to west in mid-hills, ongoing project

(Source: )List of Strategic Road Network – National Highway Roads

Major Road Construction Projects

Kathmandu Terai/Madhesh Expressway

The Expressway will be constructed by Nepali Army (NA). The Expressway consists of a dual carriageway with double lane high design speed highway. The overall 76.2 km (proposed) length stretches from Khokana (Lalitpur) to Nijgadh (Bara) interconnecting Kathmandu and Makwanpur district in between. The project has started and is planned to complete by May 2024.

(Source: )Fast Track Road Project

SASEC Road Connectivity Project

The South Asia Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Road Connectivity Project is building alternative routes between the districts of Sunsari and Saptari to create year-round passable conditions along the East West Highway, especially across the Koshi River. The project is upgrading 73 km of bypass and border roads along the East-West Highway to two lanes and improving 114 km of another strategic roadway.

(Source: )Nepal: South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation Road Connectivity Project

Construction of Major Highways Connecting East to West of Country

Pushpa Lal (Mid Hill) Highway Project: Pushpalal Highway’s (H18) proposed length 1776 km would be the longest highway of Nepal once completed. 850 km of the 1776 km has been blacktopped. The government has aimed to accomplish the Mid-Hill Highway by the fiscal year 2022/2023.

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Madan Bhandari Inner Terai Highway: Inner Terai highway, an ongoing project once completed would extend 1200 km from east to west. The highway would run parallel to Mid Hill highway to the North and Mahendra Highway to the south.East-West Postal Highway: The East-West Postal Highway, popularly known as Hulaki Marga, connects 20 districts in the southern Terai belt. The highway extends 975 km from east to west. The project also includes another 817 kms of roads that will connect all Tarai districts. Construction work has started on the road sections in Province 2. The progress has been slow.

These projects once completed would relieve pressure on Mahendra Highway by being alternative routes to traverse east to west of the country.

Ministry in Charge Contact Names, Address & Email Telephone & Fax

Ministry of Physical Infrastructure &

Transport

Mr. Shiva Hari Sapkota, Deputy Director General /Speaker

Department of Roads

Chakupat, PatanEmail: dgdor@dor.gov.np

Web: https://www.dor.gov.np/home

T: +977-1-5529075

F: +977-1-5529106

Summary of Role and Services

DOR is responsible for management of motorized surface transport infrastructure i.e. road transport regarding planning, designing, construction and maintenance activities of Strategic Road Network (SRN). Thus, maintenance of roads is one of the major tasks of Department of Roads. Also, it continuously develops and expands existing SRN to improve existing access to District Headquarters.

Ministry in Charge Contact Names, Address & Email Telephone & Fax

Ministry of Physical Infrastructure &

Transport

Ram Prasad Gauli,  Info Officer/ Office Secretary

Roads Board Nepal

N.K. Singh Marga, Minbhawan, Kathmandu Nepal

Email: info@rbn.org.np

Web: rbn.org.np

T: +-977-1-4493515

F: +-977-1-4493542

Summary of Role and Services

RBN is a self-governing, self-sustaining and organized entity based on Public-Private Partnership [PPP] model. The major function of RBN is to collect, manage and allocate fund for road maintenance to the Road Agencies. Board Requests Annual Road maintenance plan (ARMP) from Road Agencies to consolidate the report into one Integrated Annual Road maintenance plan (IARMP) to better allocate the fund.

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.

Distance Matrix

Distances from Capital City to Province Capitals (km)

Kathmandu Hetauda Janakpur Biratnagar Bhairahawa Pokhara Birendranagar Dhangadhi

Kathmandu 82 244 373 261 202 584 656

Hetauda 82 165 317 194 205 516 588

Janakpur 244 165 201 449 367 678 751

BIratnagar 373 317 201 508 519 803 903

Bhairahawa 261 194 449 508 179 333 406

Pokhara 202 205 367 519 179 478 551

BIrendranagar 584 516 678 803 333 478 243

Dhangadhi 656 588 751 903 406 551 243

Travel Time from Capital City to Province Capitals (hours)

Kathmandu Hetauda Janakpur Biratnagar Bhairahawa Pokhara Birendranagar Dhangadhi

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Kathmandu 3.25 6.75 8.75 7.50 5.50 13.25 14.50

Hetauda 3.25 3.75 6.50 4.5 5 11.25 12.50

Janakpur 6.75 3.75 4.25 10 8.50 14.75 16

BIratnagar 8.75 6.50 4.25 11 11.50 17.75 18.75

Bhairahawa 7.50 4.5 10 11 5.50 7.25 8.50

Pokhara 5.50 5 8.50 11.50 5.50 11.75 12.75

BIrendranagar 13.25 11.25 14.75 17.75 7.25 11.75 5.75

Dhangadhi 14.25 12.5 16 18.75 8.5 12.75 5.75

Road Security

The risk posed by the treacherous slope of mountains, the narrow width of the lanes, sharp corners and negligence and inexperience of drivers lead to approximately 4,622 annual traffic fatalities. Nepal’s fatality rate16 per 100K people and 400 per 100k registered vehicle is one of the highest rates in the continent and the world (WHO:2018). Road quality and frequent construction projects partially act as a control mechanism to limit speeding. Motorcycle accidents are frequent.

General strikes, or Bandhs, can involve blockage and shutdown of major roads. It is advisable to avoid travel during these strikes. The link provides the live data on fatality on the roads of Nepal

WHO 2018: and Deaths on the Road. Global Status Report On Road Safety 2018

Weighbridges and Axle Load Limits

The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) is mandated to control vehicle overloading in Nepal. A basic policy of vehicle overloading control has been included in by the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport. However, no National Transport Policy (2002)weighbridges are installed and operated by DoTM at present. The is operating fifteen (15) Federation of Truck Transport Entrepreneurs Nepal (FTTEN)weighbridges in major freight routes. 

Medium-sized trucks (seven to ten-ton payload) operate over two-lane asphalt roads at relatively low average speeds, in the range of 200 to 400 km per day. The movement of containers on the Nepal roadways is limited due to the terrain and condition of the roads. Most of the trucks used in cross-border movements are 2-3 axle (six or ten wheel) trucks carrying payloads up to 18 MT. Trucks carrying bulk cargo are generally overloaded, causing additional damage to roads. 

(Source: )Road Transport Safety and Axle Load Control Study in Nepal

Axle Load Limits (MT) Nepal India

Truck with 2 Axles (4 wheeled) 12

Truck with 2 Axles (6 wheeled) 16.2 19

Truck with 3 Axles 25 28.5

Truck with 4 Axles (12-Wheeled) 31 36

Tridem with 3 Axle (12 wheeled) 24

Semi-trailer with 4 Axles 30 40

Semi-trailer with 5 Axles 40.2 46

Semi-trailer with 6 Axles 55

Truck & Drawbar Trailer with 4 Axles 42

Truck & Drawbar Trailer with 5 Axles 51.5

Truck & Drawbar Trailer with 6 Axles 55

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Truck & Drawbar Trailer with 7 Axles

(Source: )https://www.dotm.gov.np/MainData/ProcedureCodeofConduct

Road Class and Surface Conditions

Road Functional Class

Class-I roads: Have a divided carriageway and access control (Expressways) with Average Daily Traffic (ADT) of 20,000 Passenger Car Unit (PCU) or more in 20 yrs. perspective period. Design speed in plain terrain is 120 km/h.Class-II (arterial roads): Have ADT of 5,000-20,000 PCU in 20 yrs. perspective period. Design speed of this class of roads in plain terrain is 100 km/h.Class-III (collector roads): Have ADT of 2,000-5,000 PCU in 20 yrs. perspective period. Design speed of this class of roads in plain terrain is 80 km/h.Class-IV (local roads): Have ADT of less than 2,000 PCU in 20 yrs. perspective period. Design speed of this class of roads in plain terrain is 60 km/h.

Approximate correlation can be established between the administrative and functional classifications of the roads as follows

Plain and Rolling Terrain Mountainous and steep terrain

National Highway I, II II, III

Feeder Roads II, III III, IV

(Source: )Nepal Road Standard 2070

Surface / Road conditions

Factors influencing road driving conditions in Nepal are:

Construction quality: Many roads constructed have design flaws (narrow width lane, lack of safety barriers, lane markings or drainage systems, thin or low-quality surfacing). Increased vehicles traffic, heavy trucks and monsoon rains lead to quick deterioration and surface cracks and pot-holes.Maintenance: The Road Board Nepal oversees the maintenance of roads by respective Road Agencies. However, for many roads maintenance and repair is not carried out regularly.Weather: During rainy season the risk of landslides or floods that may block roads, is significantly increased. This affects immediate transportation and wreaks havoc on the longevity of the infrastructure.Ratna Highwayis two-lane, black-topped highway in good condition.   Karnali Highway is a vital transport link between two provinces inNepal. This highway links the towns ofJumla, the Karnali capital, andSurkhet. Karnali Province is the largest, remotest and the least developed Province in Nepal. In general, the highway has two-lanes; the highway is both black-topped and earthen, and construction is still under progress.  Feeder Roads (Nagma to Gamgadhi): Earthen, Work in Progress, Rocky Terrain Bhimdutta Highway (Dhangadi – Dadeldhura): Blacktopped, Good condition. Mechi Highway (H06) is two-lane highway with the length of 268 km. It is blacktopped and is in good condition. On its hilly section, the problem of landslides especially during rainy season should be considered.Koshi Highway (H08) is 390 km road envisioned as shortest north south corridor to connect China and India via Nepal. The road section from Biratnagar (India-Nepal Border) to Khandbari is blacktopped but beyond Khandbari to Kimanthanka (China-Nepal Border) the construction is ongoing. Hilly section of the highway faces the issue of landslides during rainy season.Araniko Highway (H03) is 115 km blacktopped highway connecting Kathmandu with Kodari (China-Nepal border). This highway is among the difficult highways of Nepal to navigate during rainy season.Siddhartha Highway (H10) is 181 km long blacktopped highway connecting Nepal India border at Siddharthanagar to Pokhara, a major city in Gandaki Province. Butwal-Palpa section at the hilly region of the highway consists of rocky terrain. Rockfalls and debris deposition are common. Landslides is frequent during rainy season.Mahendra Highway which traverses east to west of country, Prithivi Highway which connects Kathmandu with Pokhara, major tourist destination, Araniko highway which connects Kathmandu with Kodari, a town bordering China, Tribhuvan Highway which connects Kathmandu with Birgunj, a major business hub bordering India and Siddhartha Highway which connects Siddharthanagar, a town bordering India with Pokhara are the five busiest highways of Nepal.Nepal Access Constraints Maps : The National Logistics Cluster updates Road Access constraints maps periodically in the monsoon season, during flood/landslide emergencies.

Traffic capacity (Heavy, Heavy with trailer, Light vehicle, Motorbike) and any seasonal variations

The maximum dimensions of vehicles considered for design of roads in Nepal are as follows:

Maximum Width, m 2.50

Maximum Height, m 4.75

Maximum Length, m 18.00

Maximum single axle load, kilo Newton (kN) 100

 

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Province 1

All the districts of Province No. 1 are connected by road, although some roads in high altitudes are not blacktopped and conditions of those roads worsen during the rainy season. Major highways of the province which connects plain land of Terai to high altitude regions are as follows:

Mechi Highway: 268 km long two lanes freeway which connects  to  . The main destinations along the highway include Jhapa Taplejung Prithivinagar,  ,  ,  ,  , and  .Bhadrapur Duhagadhi Budhabare Kanyam PhikkalKoshi Highway: Two lanes of road and 159 km long, starts from  and connects   with it.  ,  ,  ,  , Biratnagar Myanglung Itahari Dharan Dhankuta Bhedetar

are the destinations along with highway.HileSagarmatha Highway: Two lanes, 265 km long highway starts from Kadmaha of  and connects   with it.  , Saune Province No. 2 Solukhumbu Gaighatetc. are the destinations along with highway.Mahendra HighwayThe major East-West Highway of Nepal starts from   of Province No. 1.Kakarbhitta

Road network in Province 1

Distances from Province 1 Capital to Major Towns (km)

Biratnagar Itahari Dharan Mechinagar Gaighat Birtamod Damak Suryodaya

BIratnagar 25 42 108 134 91 58 143

Itahari 25 17 92 122 75 42 123

Dharan 42 17 108 87 92 59 143

Mechinagar 108 92 108 213 19 52 56

Gaighat 134 122 87 213 230 164 248

Birtamod 91 75 92 19 230 37 54

Damak 58 42 59 52 164 37 87

Suryodaya 143 123 143 56 248 54 87

Travel Time from Province 1 Capital City to Major Towns (hours)

Biratnagar Itahari Dharan Mechinagar Gaighat Birtamod Damak Suryodaya

BIratnagar 1 1.50 3 3 2.50 2 4

Itahari 1 0.50 2.25 2.50 1.75 1 3.25

Dharan 1.5 0.5 2.50 2.25 2.25 1.50 3.75

Mechinagar 3 2.25 2.5 4.75 0.50 1.25 1.75

Gaighat 3 2.5 2.25 4.75 5.25 3.50 5.75

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Birtamod 2.5 1.75 2.25 0.5 5.25 1 1.75

Damak 2 1 1.50 1.25 3.50 1 2.50

Suryodaya 4 3.25 3.75 1.75 5.75 1.75 2.5

Province 2 

The East-West Highway runs longitudinally across the Province 2. All major cities of the province are connected to the highway.Janakpurdham,Rajbiraj,Birgunj andGaurlie 25, 10, 24 and 42 km south of the Mahendra Highway, respectively. TheTribhuvan Highwayis an important to link as it connects the province toKathmanduand to India. The starting point of Tribhuvan Highway i.e. Birgunj is the most important international gateway and trade way for this province and the entire country and hence as the Tribhuvan Highway is also referred to as "The Gateway of Nepal". Birendra highway which is connected to Mahendra highway from headquarter of Rautahat district Gaur to the Chandranigahpur (the largest city of Rautahat) is 42km in length. However, to access the capital of Province 2, Janakpur city from Kathmandu the fastest suggested route is the Bisheshwor Prasad Koirala (BP) highway till Bardibas, Mahottari and then 1 h 12 min(43.9km)via E - W Hwy/AH2 and Dhulikhel Sindhuli Bhittamod Rajmarg. 

Strategic Road Network of  Province-2 and Administrative division

Source: reliefweb.int 

Distance Matrix (Province 2) 

Distances from Province 2 Capital to Major Towns (km)

Janakpur Birgunj Kalaiva Gaur Malangawa Jaleshower Siraha Rajbira

Janakpur 157 143 136 91 20 83 120

Birgunj 1.57 20 105 115 117 195 230

Kalaiva 143 20 125 135 199 215 250

Gaur 136 105 125 55 155 175 210

Malangawa 91 115 135 55 45 130 165

Jaleshower 20 117 199 155 45 90 125

Siraha 83 195 215 175 130 90 82

Rajbiraj 120 230 250 210 165 125 82

Distances from Province 2 Capital to Major Towns (hours)

Janakpur Birgunj Kalaiva Gaur Malangawa Jaleshower Siraha Rajbira

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Janakpur 4  3.5  3  2  1  2  2.5 

Birgunj 4 0.5  2.5  3  4  4.5  5 

Kalaiva 3.5 0.5 3  3.5  4.5  5  5.5 

Gaur 3 2.5 3 1.5  2.5  3.5  4 

Malangawa 2 3 3.5 1.5 1  3  3.5 

Jaleshower 1 4 4.5 2.5 1 2  3 

Siraha 2 4.5 5 3.5 3 2 2

Rajbiraj 2.5 5 5.5 4 3.5 3 2

Bagmati Province

All 13 districts of Bagmati Province are connected by roads. However, people living in the high altitude regions of Rasuwa, Sindhuplachok and Dolakha experience difficulty accessing roadways perennially. Major highways of the province are as follows:

Tribhuvan Highway: Tribhuvan Highway (H02) which is also part of Asian Highway 42 (AH42) connects the capital city with Birgunj, a major business hub in Province 2 bordered with .IndiaAraniko Highway: Araniko Highway (H03) which is also part of AH42 connects capital city with Kodari on the Nepal-China border.Prithivi Highway: Prithivi Highway (H04) connects capital city via Naubise, Dhading with Pokhara in Gandaki Province. This landslide-prone and heavily congested highway passes through five districts: Kathmandu, Dhading, Chitwan, Tanahuand  .KaskiBP Koirala Highway: The BP Highway, also known as the Banepa- Bardibas Highway, links Kathmandu Valley with Province 2 and  connects with eastern Nepal.

Road Network in Bagmati Province

Distances from Bagmati Province Capital City to Major Towns (km)

Hetauda Kathmandu Ratnanagar Bhimeshowr Bidur Dhunche Chautara

Hetauda 87 63 282 135 186 175

Kathmandu 87 159 129 76 127 73

Ratnagar 63 159 343 140 191 236

Bhimeshowr 282 129 343 205 256 136

Bidur 135 76 140 205 53 122

Dhunche 186 127 191 256 53 204

Chautara 175 73 236 136 122 204

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Travel Time from Bagmati Province Capital City to Major Towns (hours)

Hetauda Kathmandu Ratnanagar Bhimeshowr Bidur Dhunche Chautara

Hetauda 3.50 1.25 7.50 5 7.25 7

Kathmandu 3.50 4.25 4.75 2.50 4.75 3.75

Ratnagar 1.25 4.25 8.75 3.75 6 8.25

Bhimeshowr 7.50 4.75 8.75 7 9.25 5.50

Bidur 5 2.50 3.75 7 2.50 6.25

Dhunche 7.25 4.75 6 9.25 2.5 8.75

Chautara 7 3.75 8.25 5.5 6.25 8.75

Gandaki Province

9 out of 11 districts of Gandaki Province are connected via blacktopped road. Road connection to Mustang and Manang although navigable are earthen and graveled and can pose serious issues during rainy season.

Siddhartha Highway: Siddhartha Highway (H10) connects Province 5 to Gandaki Province. The highway starts at Nepal-India Border in Siddharthanagar and terminates at Prithivi chowk, Pokhara. The major settlements on the highway are Siddharthanagar, Butwal, Tansen, Waling, Putalibazar, Syangja and Pokhara.

Road Network in Gandaki Province

Distances from Gandaki Province Capital City to Major Towns (km)

Pokhara Vyas Gaindakot Baglung Gorkha Beshisahar Chame Jomsom

Pokhara 50 139 76 106 106 168 155

Vyas 50 91 126 58 58 120 205

Gaindakot 139 91 214 80 113 175 294

Baglung 76 126 214 182 182 244 102

Gorkha 106 58 80 182 81 143 262

Besisahar 106 58 113 182 81 67 262

Chame 168 120 175 244 143 67 323

Jomsom 155 205 294 102 262 262 323

Travel Time from Gandaki Province Capital City to Major Towns (hours)

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Pokhara Vyas Gaindakot Baglung Gorkha Beshisahar Chame Jomsom

Pokhara 1.50 4 2.75 2.75 3 6 6.75

Vyas 1.5 2.75 4 1.50 1.75 4.75 8.25

Gaindakot 4 2.75 6.50 2.50 3.50 6.50 10.75

Baglung 2.75 4 6.50 5.25 5.75 8.75 5

Gorkha 2.75 1.50 2.50 5.25 2.25 5.50 9.50

Besisahar 3 1.75 3.50 5.75 2.25 3.50 10

Chame 6 4.75 6.5 8.75 5.5 3.5 13

Jomsom 6.75 8.25 10.75 5 9.5 10 13

Province 5

All 12 districts of Province 5 are connected via blacktopped road. Major highways of the province are as follows:

Rapti Highway: Rapti Highway (H11) starts from Ameliya, and terminates at Musikot West Rukum. This highway makes hilly regions of DangRolpa, Salyan West Rukum and east Rukum accessible.Ratna Highway: Ratna Highway (H12) connects Province 5 to Karnali Province. It starts at Nepal- India border in Nepalgunj and terminates at Birendranagar, Surkhet. The highway transition into Karnali Highway system from the point it terminates.Mahendra highway: Mahendra highway traverses districts of Bardiya, Banke, Dang, Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, Parasi latitudinally. It connects Province 5 to Province 3 to east and Province 7 to the west.

Road Network in Province 5

Distances from Province 5 Capital City to Major Towns (km)

Butwal Ghorahi Nepalgunj Kapilvastu Rajapur Bhairahawa Ramgram

Butwal 148 249 49 266 29 41

Ghorahi 148 153 120 169 161 188

Nepalgunj 249 153 221 47 262 289

Kapivastu 49 120 221 238 42 89

Rajapur 266 169 47 238 279 306

Bhairahawa 29 161 262 42 279 25

Ramgram 41 188 289 89 306 25

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Travel Time from Province 5 Capital City to Major Towns (hours)

Butwal Ghorahi Nepalgunj Kapilvastu Rajapur Bhairahawa Ramgram

Butwal 3.25 5 1 5.25 0.75 1

Ghorahi 3.25 3 2.75 3.25 3.75 4.25

Nepalgunj 5 3 4.25 1.25 5.50 5.75

Kapivastu 1 2.75 4.25 4.75 1 2

Rajapur 5.25 3.25 1.25 4.75 5.75 6

Bhairahawa 0.75 3.75 5.50 1 5.75 0.75

Ramgram 1 4.25 5.75 2 6 0.75

Karnali Province 

The East-West Highway (EWH, 1,024 km) is the main traffic artery in the country but does not traverse Karnali province. The juncture with the EWH at Kohalpur along Ratna Rajmarg is 87 km away from Karnali Province’s capital, Birendranagar.  

The last 40 km of the Ratna Highway from the border at Bheriganga Municipality, Surkhet with Bardiya district joins Province 5 with Karnali Province’s capital. The Karnali Highway (233km) traverses Surkhet, Dailekh, Kalikot, and Jumla crossing Mid Hill EW Highway at Sahijyula, Dailkeh. The Mid-hill EW highway which is 1,776 km long extending from Panchthar to Baitadi is the parallel highway which will provide an alternative to EW highway through hills. 278 km of Midhill highway traverses Dailekh (125 km), Jajarkot (83 km) and West Rukum (70 km) from Sahijyula, Dailekh to Ghorkhani in West Rukum. 176 km of Rapti Highway connects Salyan and West Rukum with EWH in Ameliya, Dang of that 124 km traverses Salyan and West Rukum from Salyan district border with Dang district till Musikot. At Musikot it meets Midhill EWH.  

Road Network in Karnali Province 

Distance Matrix (Karnali Province) 

Distances from Karnali Province capital, Birendranagar to Major Towns (km) 

Surkhet  Chhinchu  Dullu  Dailekh  Manma  Nagma  Jumla  Gamgadhi  Jajarkot  Rukum  Salyan 

Surkhet  29   86  95  160  210  243  252  105  135  90 

Chhinchu  29  112  121  186  236  269  328 76  106  61 

Dullu  86  112  24  83  132  165  224  190.8  221  176 

Dailekh  95 121  24  107  172  205  264  200  230  185 

Manma  160  186  83  106.5  50  83  175  265  295  250 

Nagma  210  236  132  172  50  33  92  315  345  300 

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Jumla  243  269  165  205  83  33  125  348  378  333 

Gamgadhi  252  328 224  264 175 92  125  407 437  392 

Jajarkot  105  76  191 200  265  315  348  407  60  105 

Rukum  135  106  221  230  295  345  378  437  60  45 

Salyan  90  61  176  185 250  300  333  392 105  45 

 Travel Time from Birendranagar, Surkhet to Major Towns (hours)  

Surkhet  Chhinchu  Dullu  Dailekh  Manma  Nagma  Jumla  Gamgadhi  Jajarkot  Rukum  Salyan 

Surkhet  1.25  4  4.5  6.5  7.75  9  14.25  5.5  6.75  3.75 

Chhinchu  1.25  5.5  5  7.75  9  10.25  15.50  4  5.5  2.5 

Dullu  4  5.5  2  4.5  7  6.5  13.5  9.5  10.75  7.75 

Dailekh  4.5  5  2  5.5  7  8  11  10  11.25  8 

Manma  6.5  7.75  4.5  5.5  2.5  3.5  8  12  13.25  10.25 

Nagma  7.75  9  7  7  2.5  1.5  6.5  13.25  14.5  11.5 

Jumla  9  10.25  6.5  8  3.5  1.5  8  14.5  15.75  12.75 

Gamgadhi  14.25  15.50  13.5  11  8  6.5  8  19.75  21  18 

Jajarkot  5.5  4  9.5  10  12  13.25  14.5  19.75  6  9 

Rukum  6.75  5.5  10.75  11.25  13.25  14.5  15.75  21  6  3 

Salyan  3.75  2.5  7.75  8  10.25  11.5  12.75  18  9  3 

Known obstacles and bridges in Karnali province 

Construction of Bridge on Karnali Highway on the way to Manma.

Construction of bridges on the lengths of highways could delay the movement but are not a hindrance. Numerous bridges are being constructed.  

The district of Humla is not yet connected with road network. A project to link the Humla with Karnali Highway is under progress in Kalikot district. A special travel arrangement could be made in the form of the ferry to carry vehicles across the Karnali river but that is not possible during the rainy season. 

Dolpa is also not accessible through a connecting road. The government is attempting to link the roadway to Dolpa, Dunai. The road is linked toRukum,Jajarkotdistricts. The road is 118km long, of which 73km road construction has been completed.  

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Sudurpashchim Province 

The East-West highway is the lifeline to all 9 districts in Sudurpashchim Province. The road networks joining province capitals Kailali and district headquarter, Kanchanpur, south of the East-West highway and other seven districts headquarter with north of East-west highway are accessible but the problem of inundation in Terai and frequent landslide often pose severe access constraints during the monsoon season. Puspalal Mid hill Highways is in the construction process but at a slow pace. 

Strategic Road Network of Sudurpaschim Province 

Source: Road Network Data (DoR) 

Distance Matrix (Sudurpashchim Province) 

Distances from Sudurpaschim Province capital, Dhangadi  to Major Towns (km) 

Kailali Kanchanpur Dadeldhura Baitadi Darchula Bajhang Doti Bajura Achham

Kailali 64  155   182  328  280  200  340  306 

Kanchanpur 64 203  221  368  320  240  380  346 

Dadeldhura 155 203 37  174  116  45  185  151 

Baitadi 182 221 37 157  102  71  221  177 

Darchula 328 368 174 157 249  281  358  324 

Bajhang 280 320 116 102 249 161  301  267 

Doti 200 240 45 71 281 161 140  106 

Bajura 340 380 185 221 358 301 140 52

Achham 306 346 151 177 324 267 106 52

Distances from Sudurpaschim Province capital, Dhangadi  to Major Towns (km) 

Kailali Kanchanpur Dadeldhura Baitadi Darchula Bajhang Doti Bajura Achham

Kailali 2   5   7  10  9  7  12  10 

Kanchanpur  2 7  7  12  11  8  13  12 

Dadeldhura  5 7 2  6  4  2  7  6 

Baitadi  7 7 2 5  4  3  8  7 

Darchula  10 12 6 5 9  10  12  11 

Bajhang  9 11 4 4 9 6  10  9 

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Doti  7 8 2 3 10 6 5  4 

Bajura  12 13 7 8 12 10 5 2 

Achham 10 12 6 7 11 9 4 2

Known obstacles and bridges in Sudurpashchim province 

Rocky section of F154 in Bumramadichaur joining Nagma to Gamgadhi, Mugu 

The SRN connecting districts of Karnali Province are relatively unobstructed by landslides. But numerous bridge building activities have diverted roads into small rivulets, which can delay traffic and can be temporarily obstructed during the monsoon season.  

Landslide and flood-prone area in a different location throughout the Sudurpashchim province    

Address  GR/Map sheet  Latitude   Longitude   Hazard and Risk   Remark  

Kakada  46709130  N29° 47'08''   E80° 26'09''   Landslide  Mahakali highway  

Kimtadi   53559990  N29° 49'32''   E80° 30'07''   Landslide  Mahakali highway  

Khaulchaura  46879012  N29° 44'01''   E80° 27'05''   Landslide  Mahakali highway  

Terselake   50759012  N29° 44'20''   E80° 29'09''   Landslide  Mahakali highway 

Dudhali Gard   52578957  N29° 46'28''   E80° 30'48''   Landslide   Mahakali highway  

Baitadi  NA  N29° 39'158''   E80° 31'229''   Landslide  Baitadi Road  

Baitadi -Bangabagar  NA  N29. 664634'   E80.545070'   Flash flood   Mahakali Highway 

Bajura-Dwari, Kailashmandu   NA   N 29.399555  E81.393506  Landslide   Bajura Road  

Lalmatiya Bhaluwang- Dang   NA  N27.837510  E82.763178  Road damage- east-west highway   Due to irrigation project