A technical team from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has begun evaluating BP Highway for rehabilitation.  Several portions of the 158-kilometer Highway were devastated by the tragedy caused by relentless rain across the country on September 27-29 of this year. JICA provided financial help for the construction of the Araniko Highway, which connects Kathmandu Valley to Bardibas via the East-West Highway. 

According to the Division of Road in Bhaktapur, a technical team recently spent three days on-site inspecting the damaged sections of the highway.  The Division was also awaiting JICA's decision on highway reconstruction. The inspection is already underway, and the JICA expects to give its report and decisions by the first week of December, according to Office Chief Suman Yogesh. 

Meanwhile, the Nepalese government is preparing to restore this highway, which serves as an alternative link between Kathmandu and the Terai region. It should be noted that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli met with Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, Kikuta Yutaka, on October 16 to discuss JICA's cooperation for highway rehabilitation. 

Yogesh, the Office Chief, has stated that the highway reconstruction process will not be delayed. "We will spring into reconstruction once the JICA comes up with decision regarding the reconstruction of the BP Highway," according to him. 
He further stated that if JICA does not restore the Highway, the Division of Roads will begin the project on its own within two months. The reconstruction cost is estimated at Rs 7 billion. ---