The long-awaited second phase of the Kathmandu Ring Road expansion is set to begin following a formal agreement signed Wednesday between the Government of Nepal and the People’s Republic of China.
Under the agreement, the Chinese government will provide a grant of approximately Rs 11 billion to upgrade the 8.2-kilometer road from Kalanki to Basundhara. The project includes widening the road to eight lanes and constructing several new bridges and pedestrian overpasses.
The agreement was signed at the Ministry by Sunil Lamsal, Minister for Physical Infrastructure, Transport, and Urban Development, and Zhang Maoming, the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal. This phase follows the successful completion of the first section—the Koteshwar-Kalanki stretch—which was also built with Chinese assistance.
Speaking after the ceremony, Minister Lamsal emphasized a new "zero-delay" approach to the construction. "The government has prioritized north-south connectivity as a national goal," Minister Lamsal stated. "I am personally committed to ensuring that any administrative or technical hurdles arising during implementation are resolved within 24 hours to keep the project on track."
Ambassador Maoming echoed the sentiment of cooperation, stating that the project serves as a cornerstone of bilateral infrastructure ties. He added that Chinese investors are increasingly looking at Nepal's energy and transport sectors, provided the "suitable investment environment" continues to improve.
The Department of Roads confirmed that the expansion will address previous design concerns by incorporating modern medians, streetlights, and disabled-friendly overhead bridges. With the agreement signed, a Chinese technical team is expected to arrive at the site shortly.
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