South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Highway Improvement and Ecosystem Restoration Project

proposed

The project will rehabilitate and upgrade 70 kilometers (km) of the EWH from Narayanghat towards Hetauda from two-lane to four-lane. Along the existing highway that bisects the Barandabhar wildlife corridor, at least a 2 km continuous section will be elevated to recreate the obstacle-free wildlife passage, thereby linking the Terai Arc Landscape and the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape in Nepal. Additionally, wildlife crossing structures and control measures will be integrated into the at-grade road to mitigate wildlife-vehicle conflicts and minimize the indirect human-wildlife impact on the community. An additional service lane, complete with footpaths, cycle lanes, and road crossing facilities, will be provided in the urban area to enhance road safety for all road users.The project will also upgrade the remaining 9.4 km MuglingAbhukarhari section to a four-lane as part of the Mugling to Pokhara Highway. This includes (i) widening of 4.9 km of the existing highway, (ii) rehabilitation of 4.5 km of existing two-lane highway, and (iii) construction of two bridges and 4.5 km two-lane new road, This enhancement aims to establish complete road connectivity from the border points in the Tarrai region to Pokhara, which is situated in the middle mountain region of Nepal. This section was identified as the Phase 2 of the SASEC Mugling Pokhara Highway Improvement Phase 1 Project.