Gwarko Flyover Delayed and Hit by Setbacks

The Gwarko Flyover project in Lalitpur, Nepal, the first of its kind in the region, has faced several setbacks since its construction started in February 2022. Initially scheduled to be completed by February 2024, the project has been delayed by 10 months, mainly due to issues with design approvals and the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of December 2024, the work was only 82% finished, prompting authorities to impose a daily fine of Rs 88,000 on the contractor, Ashish-Samanantar-Religare JV, for each day the project runs past the newly set deadline.

However, the situation has taken a turn for the worse with some additional challenges. Recently, cracks appeared in the flyover’s cement walls, a sign of poor construction quality, forcing officials to order the demolition of the affected sections. Adding to the complications, the project has seen multiple leadership changes, with Prabhat Kumar Jha stepping back in as project head, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

Despite these hurdles, the Department of Roads remains optimistic, assuring the public that the flyover will be open to traffic by mid-April 2025. They are pushing hard to wrap up the project, and the team is hopeful that these final months will complete the much-awaited flyover.