After nearly three decades of delays and unfulfilled promises, the long-awaited blacktopping of the Baddichaur-Khambagade road section—a key route connecting western Surkhet—is finally set to move forward. This comes after the government recently granted permission to cut down trees that had been obstructing the upgrade work.

The 13-kilometer road, opened nearly 30 years ago, has long remained in poor condition, despite repeated pledges from political leaders and its inclusion in the Madan Bhandari Highway project. Locals have often described the road as more of a burden than a benefit due to its deteriorated state and the lack of development progress.

Although a contract was signed in 2022 to upgrade the road, the work had stalled for three years due to the absence of clearance to fell trees along the route. That impasse has now been resolved following a tripartite agreement between the Department of Forest and Soil Conservation, the Karnali Province Infrastructure Development Directorate, and the Madan Bhandari Highway Project Directorate, authorizing the felling of 864 trees.

With this clearance, authorities expect work to gain momentum. “The road upgrade contract was awarded in 2022, but we couldn’t proceed due to the tree-cutting issue. Now, the process is moving ahead, and blacktopping will be completed within this fiscal year,” said Surya Bahadur Shahi, head of the Infrastructure Development Directorate, Surkhet. The project deadline has now been extended to June 2026.

So far, only 25 percent of the work has been completed, including the construction of drains, support walls, and culverts on six kilometers of the stretch between Baddichaur Bazaar and Givinay, and one kilometer towards Khambagade. Work on the remaining portion, especially around Byureni, was halted due to tree-related obstacles.

Initially, a Rs 424.761m contract was signed with Anak Jayadevi JV, Banke. However, due to poor performance by Jayadevi, Anak Construction has now taken over full responsibility. Construction is expected to resume after Dashain, once the tree-felling is completed.

Despite being a segment of a national highway, the federal government had shown little interest, leading the Karnali provincial government to step in and fund the project. The province has allocated Rs 420m to complete the work. Local residents remain cautiously optimistic, hoping this time the promises will be fulfilled—and that a road once emblematic of neglect will finally serve as a vital link for the region.