Road networks across the country have been damaged due to heavy rains and floods and landslides in the run-up to Dasain. The highways connecting Kathmandu from different angles have also been damaged, causing problems for passengers. During Dasain, the number of passengers leaving Kathmandu is high. The process had already begun.

There is past experience that even when the road conditions are smooth, travel around Dasain is difficult. This time, due to the collapse of roads and bridges, it can be estimated that the Dasain journey will be not only difficult but also risky. So all concerned need to be serious towards this part.

Nagadhunga-Muglin, Dakshinkali-Sisneri, Kanti Rajpath, Arnico and BP highways connecting Kathmandu have been blocked at various places. Similarly, traffic has been disrupted due to landslides at various places on Madhyapahari Highway, Tribhuvan Rajpath, Mirchaiya-Katari-Ghurmi, Saheed Marg Rolpa, Bheri Corridor, Saljhandi-Sandhikhark. The left span of the Sunkoshi River Bridge at Sindhuli Khurkot has been completely damaged. Details of damage to roads and bridges may become more extensive. The bottom line is that the roadway has been damaged and needs immediate repair and reconstruction. The government needs to use its power to create a smooth traffic situation within a few days.

Being a mountainous country, we have a challenge in road construction and there are delays. The cost is also higher. The safety standards are not reliable even on the roads that are being completed slowly. Questions have been raised about the quality. Such roads are easily damaged by natural calamities. The damage after heavy rain on Friday and Saturday is just the latest example. However, as much as there is a delay in construction, the same trend is repeated in reconstruction. However, government officials have said that they will try their best to open the road as soon as the rain stops. Since the rains have stopped since Sunday, the government needs to intensify its efforts to make the roads uninterrupted. Since it is a time reference like Dasain, it is expected to be a high priority of the government.

The government should consider road maintenance and reconstruction as its regular responsibility. It addresses minor damages immediately and prevents them from causing major damages. Alternative highways should also be constructed in places so that traffic is not completely blocked due to the damage caused by the disaster like the last time. This is a matter of long-term importance rather than immediate. The government should make a plan for this by anticipating the calamities that may occur later. Due to the traffic congestion on the Nagadhunga-Narayangadh road section, obstacles caused by landslides and frequent accidents, the plan to build a parallel alternative road across Trishuli was advanced, but the government backed out due to the need to pay more compensation. Now the government should go ahead for the construction of parallel roads. The recent damage also showed that the damage caused by accident is so much higher than the compensation that it cannot be compared. A similar need is felt in the case of other highways. It may not be possible or necessary to build a complete alternative road in all places. However, the construction work should be carried out after studying where it will be located.