The document discusses proposals for the Kathmandu-Hetauda Fast Track Highway in Nepal as an alternative to the existing roads. It would reduce the travel distance between Kathmandu and Hetauda from 224km to around 60km and travel time by 75%. Several feasibility studies have been conducted since the 1970s. Three potential alignment routes for the highway are described and Route 1 is estimated to cost $166.8 million. The project would save on transportation costs and fuel consumption. However, it faces challenges of high construction costs and requiring stable government support. In conclusion, the fast track highway is found to be financially feasible and would promote economic development.

1. Kathmandu – Hetauda Fast Track Highway:
Viable Alternative for Sustainable
Transportation Network
March 23, 2009
Desh Raj Sonyok
Ph.D. Student
Department of Civil Engineering
New Mexico State University
Email: drsonyok@nmsu.edu

2. Background
 Hetauda is a major Tarai town to the north of Brigunj,
situated on route to Kathmandu, a capital city of Nepal
 Existing roads:
Prithivi Highway: 224 km, 6-8 hours, 90% of ADTT
Tribhuvan Highway: 133 km, 6-8 hours, difficult terrain
 50% of trade between India and Nepal passes through
this crossing
 "Fast Track" has a potential to substantially reduce
travel distance to around 60 km, travel time by 75% and
overall cost of transportation

3. Road Network: Nepal

4. Kathmandu – Hetauda Fast Track Highway
Prithivi Highway
224 km long
7-8 hours drive
Proposed Highway
60 km long
Tribhuvan Highway 1-1.5 hours drive
130 km long
6-8 hours drive

5. Brief History: Feasibility Studies
 1974: COMTEC in collaboration with Alpine and
Macchi submitted ―Kathmandu-Birgunj Corridor
Feasibility Study‖ report
 1991: International Engineering Consultants
Association, Tokyo, Japan conducted preliminary study
 1992: Swiss study carried out by Aegerter and
Mosshardt
 1993: Finnish International Development Agency
carried out pre-feasibility study
 2003: Feasibility Study of the Bagmati Corridor Road
by Nepal Engineering Consultancy Services Center Ltd

6. Brief History: Implementation Program
Source: International Engineering Consultants Association (1991)

7. Assessment of Alternatives
Fast Track Options:
 Kathmandu to Hetauda Fast Track: includes tunnel
and options for a new alignment or upgrading the
existing road
 Bagmati Corridor Route: connect with the East-
West Highway and Hetauda. Geologically
hazardous, difficult terrain
 Sindhuli Bardibas Road: may not improve
connection network to Indian port
 Upgrade the existing roads with limited re-
alignment, the ―do nothing‖ option

8. Alternative Alignments
Tribhuvan Highway
Kathmandu
Thankot 1
2
Chobhar
Tistung Chitlang
1
2 3
Markhu
Pharping
Kulekhani
Chisapani
3
Bhimphedi N
1, 2, & 3
Bhaise
Tunnel
Roadway
Route 1: 59 km
Hetauda Route 2: 62 km
Route 3: 64 km
Source: Dahal (2005)

9. Alternative Alignments
Descriptions Route 1 Route 2 Route 3
(59 km) (62 km) (64 km)
New Road 27,804,000 36,612,000 40,110,000
Rehabilitation of Existing Road 1,700,000 1,900,000 1,900,000
Tunnel Construction 112,000,000 52,000,000 90,000,000
Bridges 14,950,000 17,550,000 19,500,000
Erosion Control & Slope Stabilization 8,797,000 27,026,500 15,832,000
Operation & Maintenance 1,493,000 1,493,000 1,493,000
Security, Fire, & Rescue 122,000 114,000 118,000
TOTAL (USD) 166,866,500 136,145,500 168,953,000
Source: FINNIDA (1993)

10. Design Parameters
Two lane:
Lane width=3.5m
Design Speed:
120 km/h (level terrain)
40 km/h (steep terrain)
Gradient:
3.5 – 7 %

11. Design Parameters
AADT (1992): 1200
AADT (2030): 4000
(single lane Sindhuli road)
Tunnel Diameter: 9 - 12 m
Length: 500 – 3800 m
Capacity of two lane tunnel
(each directions):
5000-7000 vehicles per day
Emergency
Stopping Area

12. Economic Analysis
 Total cost: USD 130 - 167 million (price at 1993)
 Internal Rate of Return (IRR): 14-17%
 Net Present Value (NPV): USD 66-88 million
 Existing road (458 km) fuel consumption: 120 liter
diesel
 Fast track (60 km) fuel consumption: 30 liter diesel
 Saving per vehicle= 90 liter diesel
If AADT is 3500, project will return the investment
within 17 years

13. Project Benefits
 Reduced fuel consumption help save foreign
currency
 Saves time and energy
 Reduction in existing road maintenance cost
 Decrease traffic accident and save life
 Promote employment opportunities
 Help lower the product cost in Kathmandu valley
 Positive impact on economic of surrounding regions

14. Provisions in Development Plans
 Eighth Development Plan (1992-1997) : Build, Own,
Operate and Transfer (BOOT)
 Tenth Development Plan (2002—2007)
Private Sector Participation (PSP); Build, Operate
and Transfer (BOT); and BOOT modalities
 Three-Year Interim Plan (2007/08-2009/10):
BT, BOT, BOOT, BTO, LOT (L= Lease), LBOT,
DOT (D=Develop), and other similar methods

15. Challenges and Issues
 Stable government and strong commitment from all
political parties
 Traffic tunnels are new to Nepal and fragile geology
 Requires trained personal, special equipments, and
continuous power supply for operation and
maintenance
 High construction cost
 Disciplined traffic culture for the safe use of tunnel

16. Conclusions
 Fast Track highway is financially feasible
 It reduces travel distance, travel time and overall cost
of transportation
 Help save foreign currency and also promote
employment opportunities
 Stable road network and reduced price of imported
goods in Kathmandu
 Positive impact on economies of surrounding regions
 Stable government and strong commitment from all
political parties to implement the project

17. THAK YOU
FOR
YOU ATTENTION

18. References
Kathmandu-Birgunj Corridor Feasibility Study (March 1974) by COMTEC in
collaboration with Alpine and Macchi for UN-HMG
Preliminary Study Repot on Kathmandu –Hetauda Raod Tunnel Project (September
1991) by International Engineering Consultants Association, Tokyo Japan
Direct Link between Hetauda and Kathmandu, Nepal. Pre-feasibility Study (June 1993)
by FINNIDA.
Feasibility Study of the Bagmati Corridor Road (April 2003) by Nepal Engineering
Consultancy Services Center Ltd (NEPECON).
Nepal: Preparing the North–South Fast Track Road Project (September 2006) by South
Asian Department, Asian Development Bak
Nepal: Regional Development Strategy (October 2007) by Halcrow Group (Urban
Development) UK, in association with GHK (UK), Full bright Consultancy Services (P)
Ltd., Development Management
Institute (P) Ltd., and Genesis (P) Ltd

19. Acronyms
AADT: Annual average daily traffic is the total volume of vehicle traffic of a
highway for a year divided by 365 days
ADTT: Average Daily Truck Traffic