The reconstruction and management of the Jhyaple River section, damaged by a landslide under the Nagdhunga–Naubise road stretch, is in its final stages. Keshav Prasad Ojha, project chief of the eastern section of the Nagdhunga–Muglin road, said that the repair work is being carried out at a cost of around Rs 20m and is expected to be completed by July.
Following heavy rainfall last year, a massive landslide occurred in Jhyaple River along the Tribhuvan Highway. The landslide killed 35 people and swept 2.7 kilometers downhill from a point 600 meters ahead of Nagdhunga. It destroyed key infrastructure including retaining walls, breastwalls, and culverts.
Ojha said that reconstruction is underway in three phases, two of which have already been completed. “The first step involved protecting a previously built wall in the river, which was in a risky state due to the landslide. We conducted micropiling work to stabilize it. The second step was installing gabion walls in the lower area, which is now nearly complete. The third step, installing soil anchors on the damaged wall, is scheduled for completion by August,” he added.
Despite progress, long-term landslide mitigation in the Jhyaple area is expected to begin only after eight months. The Nagdhunga–Muglin road sees daily traffic of about 15,000 vehicles. Its upgrade is being funded through a concessional World Bank loan and investment from the Government of Nepal.
The 12.26-kilometer Nagdhunga–Naubise stretch is the first package under this project. A contract agreement was signed with the Jiangsu-Sagun JV on 12 April 2022, and construction began on 9 June 2022. The project, originally set to complete by 30 May 2024, has seen two deadline extensions—first to 9 Feb 2025, and again to July 25. The section is currently 84 percent complete, and discussions are ongoing with consultants regarding another extension.
Ojha explained that reconstruction was delayed due to the need for a fresh study and redesign following the unexpected landslide. “We hadn’t anticipated a landslide of this scale. A separate study was launched in October, with resource allocation and modality finalized. The consultant submitted the report in May,” he said. The study, jointly conducted by ITECO and TMS, assessed soil quality and geological conditions. Based on its recommendations, the original contractor, Jiangsu-Sagun JV, was retained for landslide management under a contract variation.
However, Ojha emphasized that this current work addresses only the immediate damage. “A new contract and budget will be needed for a comprehensive landslide management plan in the Jhyaple River area,” he said.
Gyanendra Ghimire, manager of Jiangsu-Sagun JV, said that land plotting above the Jhyaple River contributed to the disaster. “Soil, stones, and debris were left uncleared, forming a landslide-prone area. The landslide occurred when silt blocked drainage and flowed directly into the river,” he explained.
Suman Ghimire, Chief District Officer of Dhading, said the landslide was likely triggered by the area’s weak geological structure. “Risk-reduction work is ongoing,” he said. The Department of Roads has taken a specialized approach for this landslide. Gabion and bamboo-crested walls have been installed to prevent further slides, while micro-piling and RCT wall construction are underway to stabilize the road above the affected area.
