The official restoration of the flood-damaged Sindhuli Road commenced today following a groundbreaking ceremony attended by senior Nepali and Japanese officials.
Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Gopal Prasad Sigdel, and the Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, MAEDA Toru, marked the start of the project, titled the "Emergency Rehabilitation of Sindhuli Road Affected by Floods". The major rehabilitation work is being executed by Shimizu Corporation, one of Japan's leading construction firms.
The 160-kilometer Sindhuli Road serves as a critical economic artery linking the mid and eastern Terai regions directly to the capital city of Kathmandu. Initially constructed between 1995 and 2015 through a 25.8 billion yen Japanese grant, the vital transport corridor suffered devastating damage during continuous heavy rainfall and subsequent floods in September 2024, which washed away more than 10km of the highway.
"More than 10km of the road was washed away, severely impacting the local economy and people's lives, as well as Nepal's broader economy, including trade and transportation," the Embassy of Japan stated in an official press release.
The project is funded by a 2.8 billion yen grant assistance package extended by the Japan government in response to an urgent request from the Nepal government to restore the vital corridor.
This milestone coincides with a major diplomatic landmark between the two nations. As noted by the Japanese Embassy: "This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Nepal, and the Embassy of Japan believes that this project will be instrumental for Nepal in achieving sustainable economic development and further deepening the enduring friendship between the two countries."
With the completion of the special ceremony, construction work has officially commenced to restore this vital lifeline and revive regional trade.
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