As monsoon clouds gather over Nepal each year, so does a familiar and frustrating problem—impassable roads and broken highways. In recent years, major transportation routes have become unusable after just a few hours of rainfall. Experts warn that this is no longer a seasonal inconvenience but a deep-rooted issue stemming from subpar planning, lack of technical oversight, and a disregard for Nepal’s complex geography.
Rains Reveal Fragile Infrastructure
With the onset of monsoon, roads across the country—especially critical routes such as the East-West Highway, Narayangadh-Muglin section, Araniko Highway, and Siddhartha Highway—experience severe blockages. In many areas, traffic is reduced to one-way operation, while in others, roads are entirely impassable due to landslides and mudslides. These disruptions significantly affect passenger mobility, freight transport, and emergency response services.
According to technicians and geologists, the underlying problem is the poor quality of road infrastructure, much of which is the result of construction carried out without proper geological assessments. The lack of professional involvement during the planning and construction phases has made Nepal’s roads vulnerable to natural forces, especially during the rainy season.
Expert Insights: Poor Planning Is the Root Cause
Dr. Suchita Shrestha, Deputy Secretary at the Department of Mines and Geology, emphasizes that building roads without involving geologists leads to avoidable but costly mistakes. She notes that temporary technicians are often hired to prepare maps and oversee construction, but these individuals rarely assume responsibility for post-construction quality or maintenance. This “build and forget” approach significantly compromises the durability of road networks.
Topographical Challenges Add to the Trouble
Nepal’s mountainous and hilly terrain is naturally prone to soil erosion, rockfalls, and landslides—especially during monsoon season. Roads built in such regions without proper drainage systems, retaining walls, or erosion control measures are particularly vulnerable. As rainfall intensifies, so does the degradation of these inadequately planned roads.
Dr. Shrestha further highlights the importance of routine maintenance, such as keeping roadside drains clean and functional, constructing bridges instead of culverts over streams like the Khahare River, and protecting roads in hilly areas through proper drainage and retaining walls.
Why This Matters for National Development
Reliable road infrastructure is vital for economic growth, social inclusion, and national development. Every year, the federal, provincial, and local governments collectively construct about 1,500 kilometers of new roads. The latest Economic Survey by Nepal’s Ministry of Finance reports over 36,000 kilometers of roads under federal jurisdiction and about 68,000 kilometers under local governments. However, only a fraction of these—approximately 19,000 kilometers federally and 5,000 kilometers locally—are blacktopped.
Despite this expansion, recurring road failures during monsoon reveal that quantity is being prioritized over quality. Poor design, substandard construction, and lack of accountability threaten to reverse developmental gains, costing both time and money.
Moving Forward: What Needs to Change
To prevent the annual cycle of road collapse and repair, experts suggest:
* Conducting thorough geological surveys before road construction
* Involving certified geologists in the planning process
* Building bridges where necessary instead of relying on culverts
* Ensuring drainage systems are clear and effective
* Using long-term planning rather than short-term fixes
* Holding technicians accountable for the durability of constructed infrastructure
Conclusion
The monsoon season should not be synonymous with travel nightmares and road closures in Nepal. With thoughtful planning, scientific input, and committed oversight, the country can build road infrastructure that stands the test of weather and time. It’s time for a paradigm shift from reactive repairs to proactive resilience in road construction.
