Underpass being constructed at Sanga Chowk

Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: The construction of an underpass at Sanga, the main transit point to enter and exit the Kathmandu Valley, has gained momentum.

The construction of an underpass is underway at Sanga on the border of Bhaktapur and Kavrepalanchowk under the Suryabinayak-Dhulikhel Road Expansion Project along the Araniko Highway.

Currently, the Suryabinayak-Dhulikhel road is being upgraded to four lanes. Due to the high hills in the Sanga area, the road has been constructed in two lanes each. Under this, a two-lane one-way underpass is being constructed on the left side for the vehicles exiting the Kathmandu Valley.

According to the project, the underpass has been constructed to ease the journey to the Sanga area as vehicles have to cross a long uphill route while leaving Bhaktapur. It is also aimed at making the vehicular movement at Sangachowk systematic and uninterrupted.

The total length of the underpass is 1,110 meters. Of this, 20-metre bridge, 190-metre approach road towards Banepa and 900-metre approach road towards Bhaktapur are being constructed. The height of the underpass will be 6 meters and the width will be 10.5 meters.

According to the project, around 90 percent of the underpass construction has been completed so far. The construction of the main structure and approach road of the underpass has been completed and the work of side sharewall and pavement surface has reached the final stage.

Vehicles heading to Banepa from Bhaktapur will be operated through an underpass after the completion of the construction while vehicles coming to Bhaktapur from Banepa will use the overhead road.

The construction of the underpass is being carried out by the contractor who was awarded the contract for the Suryabinayak-Sanga road section.