4 Road From Kathmandu to Biratnagar

There are not so many alternatives to reach Biratnagar from capital city Kathmandu. Two major portions of road used in the present case are: 1) Newly constructed road joining Kathmandu with the plane area of Nepal (Popularly known as Banepa Sindhuli Bardibas road and 2) East-West highway joining eastern extreme to western extreme of southern plane of Nepal. The first portion is narrow (4m) mountain road and the next one is wide and passes through flat terrain.

4.1 Banepa Sindhuli Bardibas Road

This road was completed recently with the aid of Japanese government and handed over to Nepal government just after the famous earthquake of 12th April, 2015. The road passes through scenic mountains of Nepal mid hills and lower hills confronting Terai planes. At numerous locations the road passes through highly tortuous route with continuous hairpin bends. Breathtaking structures comprising heavy cuttings supported by high retaining walls constructed partly with stone filled gabions are one of the major component of the road. Road side channels, well maintained road surface and some heavy hill side protection works have become major attraction. One such protection work named as ‘Selfie-danda’ or ‘Selfie hill’ about few kilometers from Sindhuli has become hallmark of the road.

Following image (Fig. 4.1) shows Kathmandu to Bardibas section of road.

Figure 4.1: Kathmandu to Bardibas

4.2 East West Highway

It is one of the oldest highway of Nepal constructed around 40 years back. Most part of the road passes through plane Terai area. Roads are generally well maintained and wide.

Bardibas to Kathmandu is shown in Fig. 4.2

Figure 4.2: Bardibas to Biratnagar