Dec 01, Kathmandu - The overall construction of the East-West Asian Highway is 25 percent complete.

With investment from the Government of Nepal and a concessional loan from the Asian Development Bank, a 95-kilometer road from Kakadbhitta in Jhapa to Labipur in Sunsari is being upgraded to the standards of the Asian Highway. The road is being divided into two sections.

The construction progress of the 45-kilometer section from Kakadbhitta to Kerkha, Sitapuri in Jhapa is 29 percent. A contract agreement was signed in 2080 Kartik to complete the construction of this section within three years.

The construction progress of the 50-kilometer road from Sitapuri to Labipur in Sunsari is only 13 percent.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Urban Development Kulman Ghising inspected the under-construction highway on Monday (Mangsir 15).

Minister Ghising also discussed with the Director General of the Road Department, Project Chief, Consultant and Construction Entrepreneurs about the progress of the road construction from Itahari in Sunsari to Birtamod in Jhapa, the problems seen in the process and the work to be done to resolve them.

He said that although the road upgrading work has started, it has not been progressing at a fast pace. He mentioned that the weather is suitable for increasing the speed of the work with the onset of winter. He directed to increase the speed of the work by adding manpower.

He mentioned that there were some problems in moving the electricity poles on the right and left sides of the road. However, he said that the construction will not be affected by the necessary coordination with the Nepal Electricity Authority.

134 culverts and wildlife-friendly underpasses, seven vehicle underpasses, five sky bridges and other structures will be constructed in the project.