What we know
- Khabarhub reported on September 13 that the Nepali Army has initiated blasting along the Sital Bazaar section of the Prithvi Highway.
- Operations target a hillside section to bypass a road segment washed away by the Trishuli River during recent flooding.
- Emergency demolition was initiated because constructing an immediate retaining wall along the riverbank was not feasible.
- Work is ongoing in Dhading district along the main vehicle corridor linking Kathmandu with western Nepal.
What this means if you are travelling
- Passengers travelling by bus or private vehicle between Kathmandu and Pokhara should anticipate heavy delays or intermittent road holds.
- Travellers heading to Pokhara for Annapurna region treks can choose domestic flights to bypass the Dhading highway section entirely.
- Trekking routes outside of Dhading district remain physically unaffected, though land transit to trailheads will take longer.
- Tourists should consult their local transport providers or trekking operators to confirm current highway conditions before setting off.
As reported by Khabarhub on September 13, the Nepali Army has begun controlled blasting operations along the Prithvi Highway in Dhading district. The clearing effort focuses on the damaged Sital Bazaar area, where recent floodwaters from the Trishuli River destroyed a portion of the road.
Road Erosion Near Sital Bazaar
Recent heavy flooding caused the Trishuli River to swell and cut into the embankment beneath the Prithvi Highway. The resulting bank erosion swept away a section of the asphalt near Sital Bazaar, interrupting normal vehicular traffic through Dhading.
Technical teams assessed the damage to identify the fastest path toward restoring vehicular movement. Because constructing a new retaining wall alongside the river was not considered immediately practical, authorities authorized army units to blast into the adjacent hillside and carve out a replacement lane.
Demolition and Clearance Work
According to reporting from Khabarhub, specialized Nepali Army crews were deployed to conduct the controlled explosions. Demolition teams are removing rock faces above the riverbank so heavy equipment can clear earth and open a temporary track for traffic.
Active blasting requires temporary stoppages along the nearby road segment to safeguard workers and travellers from falling rock. Drivers and logistics operators should expect traffic to be halted periodically while explosives are detonated and debris is removed.
What This Means for Travel Plans
The Prithvi Highway is the primary overland route connecting Kathmandu to Pokhara and Chitwan. Because the Sital Bazaar obstruction is located in Dhading, any road journey between the capital and western Nepal will be impacted by the ongoing clearance work.
For visitors planning to trek in the Annapurna or Mardi Himal regions, overland buses must navigate this damaged corridor. Travellers seeking to avoid highway stoppages can book domestic flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara, as air routes operate completely independently of road conditions.
- Confirm current road access updates with your transport operator or trekking agency before leaving Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- Allow several hours of extra travel time if taking a tourist bus or private car through Dhading.
- Consider domestic flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara to ensure predictable transfer schedules.
- Remain patient during travel, as traffic management teams work to clear vehicles between blasting intervals.
Regional Context and Next Steps
The physical damage and current blasting operations are confined to the Sital Bazaar stretch within Dhading district. Other segments of the highway closer to Pokhara remain intact, though queueing traffic can cause extended backlogs in both directions.
Nepali Army personnel and equipment remain on site to complete the blasting and clear loose rock as quickly as safety allows. Further operational updates will depend on progress made by work crews along the Trishuli River corridor.
Reported by
This update summarises reporting from the outlets below and adds our own planning guidance. Follow the links for the original reports.
Questions travellers are asking
Why is the Nepali Army using explosives on the Prithvi Highway?
Floods on the Trishuli River washed away a section of the road in Dhading. Khabarhub reported that because building a retaining wall immediately was not feasible, the army began blasting the hillside to create space for a temporary track.
Can tourists still travel by road between Kathmandu and Pokhara?
Road travel along the Prithvi Highway is still possible, but passengers should expect significant delays and periodic holds in Dhading while army crews conduct blasting and clear debris.
Does this highway damage impact trekking routes in the Annapurna region?
The physical road damage is limited to Dhading district and does not affect the actual mountain trails near Pokhara. However, overland road journeys to reach Pokhara trailheads from Kathmandu will take longer than usual.
How can travellers avoid delays caused by the roadwork in Dhading?
Foreign visitors can choose to fly between Kathmandu and Pokhara. Domestic flights operate above the highway corridor and are completely unaffected by the road clearance work at Sital Bazaar.