The BP Highway, which had remained closed during nighttime hours since early Asar owing to floods and landslide risks, will be open for round-the-clock operation from Ashwin 1. Authorities say the decision was taken as the monsoon weakens and in anticipation of increased travel during upcoming festivals including Dashain and Tihar.
The District Administration Office in Kavrepalanchok said the decision was made at a security committee meeting on Monday. Officials stated that the highway will run 24 hours a day under the approved road safety action plan, with necessary precautions in place.
Nighttime traffic on the highway—from Dhulikhel in Kavrepalanchok to Nepal Thok on the Sindhuli border—had been completely banned for 12 hours daily since the first week of Asar. The restriction had been extended multiple times, most recently from Bhadra 16 for 15 days, and remained in effect until the end of the month.
Assistant Chief District Officer Sudarshan Shrestha said the ban was necessary because several sections between Kavrebhanjyang and Khurkot were highly vulnerable to monsoon-induced disasters. Vehicles heading out of Kathmandu were stopped at Kavrebhanjyang, while inbound traffic was halted at Nepal Thok.
The BP Highway has faced severe damage in past monsoons. In Ashwin last year, floods and landslides swept away an eight-kilometre section between Chaukidanda in Kavre and Barsekhola in Sindhuli. Out of its total 160 kilometres, the Khurkot–Nepalthok section and the Nepalthok–Dhulikhel section suffered the worst damage. Temporary transport arrangements were made at the time.
With the latest decision, authorities will fully reopen the BP Highway from Ashwin 1, restoring uninterrupted travel across Kavre, Sindhuli and Ramechhap districts.
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