Kamala Kanchanpur road progress has reached 81 percent overall, with blacktopping now in its final stage on most of the 87 kilometre section between Kanchanpur in Saptari and the Kamala bridge, according to an update shared by Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal on October 15, 2026.
The East-West Highway is Nepal’s main east-west arterial road, linking towns, markets and border points across the Terai. The section from Kanchanpur to Kamala is a vital part of that corridor for Saptari, Siraha and nearby districts. For local residents, farmers, traders, students and patients, the highway is the main route to district headquarters, hospitals, schools and larger markets, so the condition of this section affects daily travel and the movement of goods across the eastern and central Terai.
Kamala Kanchanpur road progress after a difficult start
The upgrading work began in 2020, but it moved slowly for a long period and at one point came close to contract termination. Several problems combined to hold the project back. They included internal issues within the construction company, complexities in the design, a shortage of construction materials, obstruction caused by electricity poles along the route, and demands raised by local residents. Together, those issues delayed work on a section that many communities had been waiting to see improved for years.
The minister said he advanced the project with special priority after taking leadership of the Infrastructure Development Ministry. To get the work moving again, the ministry carried out two on-site inspections, held discussions with local elected representatives and citizens, and facilitated solutions to problems faced by the contractor. Officials say the recent Kamala Kanchanpur road progress reflects that closer monitoring and coordination on the ground, and the project has since gained pace across most of the section.
Four lanes, service lanes and blacktopping in final stage
In rural areas, the road is being built with four lanes. In urban areas, the design includes four lanes plus a service lane that is 6 metres wide, so that local traffic can move separately from through traffic on the highway. Blacktopping is in its final stage on most of the 87 kilometre section, a sign that large parts of the road surface are nearing completion after years of earthworks, drainage and base preparation.
Overpasses taking shape at Lahan and Mirchaiya
Eight overpass structures form another important part of the works. Two overpasses, each 66 metres long, are advancing at Lahan and Mirchaiya, along with six smaller overpasses at other locations. At Lahan, stone piling work is underway to increase the soil bearing capacity for the overpass. These structures are a key part of Kamala Kanchanpur road progress because they are expected to ease congestion and improve safety where local roads and town traffic meet the highway.
Most work targeted for completion by December
The current target is to complete most construction work by this coming December, with the exception of the Lahan overpass. If that timetable holds, travellers between Kanchanpur and the Kamala bridge can expect a wider, smoother and safer road before the end of the year, while work on the remaining overpass structure continues. For Saptari, Siraha and nearby districts, completion would mean shorter and more reliable journeys, lower vehicle operating costs, and better access for agricultural produce and other goods moving along the East-West Highway.
Wider carriageways and separate service lanes in built up areas can help reduce conflicts between long distance vehicles and local traffic such as motorcycles, bicycles, tractors and pedestrians. For communities along the route, better drainage, smoother blacktop and safer crossings also mean more dependable access during the monsoon season, when poor road surfaces can quickly disrupt travel, delay freight and increase the cost of moving everyday goods between districts.
Related reading: Kanchanpur Kamala Highway Upgrade and Kakadbhitta Sitapuri Road Blacktopping
Source: Minister Sunil Lamsal’s Facebook post, October 15, 2026: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2328729991294387/