New Alignment for Hulaki Road Project Commences in Chitwan

The Department of Roads announced that a new alignment for the Hulaki Road Project is under way, extending 7.813 kilometres through the protected zone of Chitwan National Park. Of this length, 6.125 kilometres lie inside the park, 0.213 kilometres cross the Dobhan Buffer Community Forest, and the remainder traverses the Rapti River corridor and nearby settlements. The project will permanently occupy 21.44 hectares of land, according to the Environmental Impact Assessment submitted by the Hulaki Highway Directorate. The construction plan calls for the removal of 1,995 trees and poles of various species, a figure that equates to nearly 2,000 trees being cut. The Department of Roads indicated that the affected area includes both forested land and community buffer zones, with the road passing through the Riukhola and Bankatta settlements before reaching Bharatpur Metropolitan City. The Ministry of Forest and Environment has been consulted to mitigate impacts on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chitwan National Park. Once the alignment is completed and opened to traffic, vehicle speed within the park will be capped at 40 kilometres per hour, and honking will be completely prohibited to reduce disturbance to wildlife. The project is part of a broader effort to improve connectivity between Kathmandu and the southern plains, linking the Hulaki Highway with existing road networks in Bharatpur and Parsa. Officials expect the new route to enhance trade and travel while adhering to environmental safeguards. Local authorities and community representatives have been briefed on the land acquisition and tree felling requirements. The Department of Roads affirmed that compensation and re‑planting measures will be implemented in line with national forestry policies. The alignment is slated for completion within the next two years, after which monitoring will ensure compliance with speed and noise restrictions.