China helps Nepal plan capital ring road upgrade

China is providing technical assistance for the upgrading of the 27km ring road project for Nepalese capital Kathmandu. 2719 Chinese Government officials have conducted a visit to Nepal to carry out a technical study into the project. The existing ring road features four lanes, with two in either direction and the upgrade to the route will see it widened to four lanes in either direction. A Chinese technical team is carrying out the detailed study into the first 9.5km section of the ring road upgrade as well as surveying materials needs. The study follows an earlier agreement struck between the Chinese and Nepalese Governments over the upgrade work. Meanwhile the Nepalese Government is direction operations on the new road that will connect the country with Fallak in China and Bhiddamode in India's Bihar State. This road will run from Lamabagar in Nepal's Dolakha District, which borders with China in the north all the way to Jaleswor in Dhanusa, which borders with India in the south. The road will be the shortest route connecting China and India through Nepal and will be 250km long. Nepal's 2437 Ministry of Physical Planning and Works says that the road will help boost tourism and business and is a government priority as part of its open border programme with its neighbours. A further 50km of the road still needs to be complete while a bridge is under construction in Khurkot. Construction work on the bridge will be completed within 12 months with the work being funded by the ADB. Once the new road is open it will improve capacity and reduce travel times compared to the existing route.