Prithvi Highway
| Prithvi Highway | |
|---|---|
| पृथ्वी राजमार्ग | |
| Route information | |
| Length: | 174 km (108 mi) |
| History: | Completed in 1974 |
| Major junctions | |
| East end: | Kathmandu |
| West end: | Pokhara |
| Location | |
| Primary destinations: | Nagdhunga, Naubise, Galchhi, Gajuri, Malekhu, Kurintar, Mungling, Anbukhaireni, Dumre, Damauli, Pokhara |
| Highway system | |
| Roads in Nepal | |
The Prithvi Highway (Nepali: पृथ्वी राजमार्ग) is a 174 km (108 mi) long highway connecting Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and Pokhara, a tourist city in the western part of Nepal.[1]
History
The construction of the highway started in 1967 with the help of the Chinese government. The construction was completed in 1974. The highway is named after King Prithvi Narayan Shah.
Route
This landslide-prone and heavily congested highway passes through five districts: Kathmandu, Dhading, Chitwan, Tanahu and Kaski.[1] This highway has a junction with Tribhuvan Highway at Naubise. The Baratpur-Mugling section connects this highway to Mahendra Highway, the longest highway in Nepal. Until 2011 opening of the B.P. Koirala Highway, this highway was the only improved land route from Kathmandu Valley to all points south, and as such the main artery for heavy trucks into Kathmandu Valley and into Pokhara.
The hills that flank the 206 kilometres (128 mi) stretch of the Prithvi Highway from Kathmandu to Pokhara contain some of the most important religious sites in Nepal. Manakamana Mandir near Mugling, is one of the oldest temples in central Nepal and is an important destination for Hindu pilgrimage.[2]
A 25 kilometres (16 mi) road off the main highway connecting Pokhara and Kathmandu links to historical town of Gorkha. Apart from these historic points of interest, the highway is lined with modern townships that have sprung up around important road junctions and river crossings. The scenery along the highway is dramatic as it follows a series of deep river valleys. On clear days, most of the way to Pokhara there are views of Machapuchare and the Annapurna massif.[2]
The 370 meter bridge over the Madi River at Damauli may collapse due to weakened foundation, s it was constructed at the same time as the highway with Chinese assistance. Sand and rock extraction nearby have weakened the pillars on a crucial bridge of Nepal's busiest highway.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Road Statistics of Nepal". Department of Roads, Government of Nepal. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Introducing Kathmandu to Pokhara". lonely planet. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
- ↑ http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Madi+bridge+facing+threat+of+collapse&NewsID=352589?
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