Birgunj, October 16: The Birgunj road widening project on the Tribhuvan Rajpath in Birgunj, Parsa, has moved into its construction stage after the clearing of the road boundary area was completed for about 8 kilometres from Miteri Bridge to Gandak Chowk. The Ministry of Infrastructure Development has now invited bids for the work in two packages, both called on Ashoj 30, 2083 BS, according to an announcement made in the afternoon, Kathmandu time, on October 16, 2026.
Clearing of the road boundary completed in two phases
The boundary area along the section was cleared in two phases. The first phase of clearing was carried out on Baisakh 6 and 7, 2083 BS, and the second phase ran from Asar 18 to Bhadra 31, 2083 BS. Together, the two phases covered the full stretch of about 8 kilometres between Miteri Bridge and Gandak Chowk, preparing the corridor for the construction work that is now being tendered. The minister said the clearing had to be completed before permanent road construction could proceed along the busy urban section.
The minister also expressed sorrow for the hardship that Birgunj residents faced during the widening work, noting that electricity, drinking water and internet services were repeatedly disrupted while the boundary was cleared. He thanked residents for their patience and cooperation during that period. Such services run along or across busy road corridors in Nepali cities, so work of this kind often affects households and businesses near the road as well as the traffic that uses it.
Two tender packages called on Ashoj 30
Construction is now moving forward through competitive bidding. The Ministry of Infrastructure Development has invited bids in two packages, and both packages were called on the same day, Ashoj 30, 2083 BS. The first package covers the section from Miteri Bridge to Ghantaghar. The second package covers the section from Ghantaghar to Gandak Chowk. Splitting the corridor into two packages means the two halves of the route can be contracted and managed as separate works, each with its own contractor, programme and site organisation, while following the same overall design for the road.
What the Birgunj road widening includes
The design differs between the main market area and the sections outside it, reflecting the different space and traffic needs along the route. In the main market area, from Idgah Chowk to Power House, the plan provides a four-lane road in the central part, with cycle lanes on both sides and wide footpaths. Outside the market area, a six-lane road with a service lane will be built. Footpaths on both edges of the road will be paved with granite stone, as on Durbar Marg in Kathmandu. The inclusion of cycle lanes, service lanes and wide paved footpaths indicates that the design is intended to serve pedestrians, cyclists, local traffic and through traffic, and not only vehicles passing along the main carriageway.
Why the project matters for Birgunj
Birgunj is one of Nepal’s main trading cities and a principal gateway for goods moving between Nepal and India, and the Tribhuvan Rajpath is the historic highway that links the city with Kathmandu. A wide, organised road through the city therefore matters for freight, public transport, shoppers and daily commuters alike. For a busy commercial centre, the Birgunj road widening scheme aims to bring order to a corridor that serves the main market as well as through traffic. The stated goal of the work is to develop Birgunj as an organised, safe, modern and beautiful city. Wider carriageways, defined service lanes and proper footpaths are presented as part of that goal, together with safer space for people walking and cycling through the market area.
What happens next
With bids now invited, the next stage of the Birgunj road widening is the selection of contractors for the two packages, after which construction can begin on the Miteri Bridge to Ghantaghar section and the Ghantaghar to Gandak Chowk section. The target is to complete the construction within 30 months. Residents and road users will be watching how the work is phased, how services such as electricity, water and internet are handled during construction, and how traffic is managed through the market area while the new carriageways, cycle lanes and footpaths are built.
Source: Minister Sunil Lamsal’s Facebook post, October 16, 2026
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