Last Updated on October 10, 2026 by alizni
Travelers navigating the crucial arterial highway connecting Kathmandu to the rest of Nepal face significant disruptions following severe infrastructure damage in the Dhading district. The crucial Galaudi section along the Prithvi Highway, situated near Gajuri on the route heading toward the capital city, was recently hit by severe road subsidence. This structural failure was triggered by relentless erosion caused by the adjacent Trishuli River, resulting in a total shutdown of vehicle movements and leaving hundreds of passenger buses, private vehicles, and cargo trucks stranded along the highway.
In response to the emergency, the Department of Roads immediately deployed heavy equipment and technical teams to initiate emergency restoration work. Authorities confirmed that temporary relief is underway, with one-way vehicular movement scheduled to resume starting at 9:00 PM tonight. While this partial reopening offers much-needed relief to stranded travelers, authorities advise drivers to exercise extreme caution when navigating through this vulnerable stretch.
Trishuli River Erosion Causes Severe Road Collapse
The Prithvi Highway runs alongside the swift-flowing Trishuli River for a substantial stretch of its alignment. While this geographic positioning provides a vital corridor through difficult mountainous terrain, it also exposes the roadway to severe environmental hazards. Recent surges in river currents caused intense scouring at the base of the highway slope in the Galaudi area, near Gajuri. As the river continuously undercut the supporting embankment, a major section of the asphalt collapsed into the riverbed below.
The extent of the road subsidence made two-way travel completely impossible, posing an immediate threat to life and vehicle safety. Recognizing the hazard, local traffic police and road authorities halted all vehicular traffic along the sector. The total blockage created immediate traffic queues extending several kilometers on both sides of the affected segment, impacting long-distance commuters and freight movement headed into and out of the Kathmandu Valley.
Rapid Engineering Efforts: Back-Cutting the Hillside
To reopen the critical transport link as quickly as possible, engineering crews from the Department of Roads adopted an aggressive emergency clearance strategy known as hill back-cutting. Because rebuilding the riverbank foundation requires extensive civil engineering and structural walls, immediate restoration focused on excavating into the stable hillside opposite the river.
Heavy excavators and earth-moving machinery were deployed to cut away the rocky slope and expand the usable width of the roadway. By shaving off parts of the cliffside, engineers managed to create a workable, temporary track around the sunken segment. Crews worked around the clock under challenging conditions to clear debris and create a track wide enough to permit controlled single-lane traffic. Department officials stated that this back-cutting technique was the fastest viable method to alleviate the growing traffic backlogs before permanent retaining walls could be constructed.
Travel Advisory and One-Way Traffic Regulations
Although the opening of single-lane traffic at 9:00 PM represents positive progress, motorists should expect severe delays. The single-lane bottleneck means that traffic will be managed sequentially from opposing directions, requiring patience and strict adherence to traffic control commands.
Traffic police personnel have been stationed on both ends of the Galaudi sector to regulate vehicle flow. Priority will likely be granted to emergency services, high-occupancy passenger vehicles, and perishable goods carriers. Drivers traveling along the highway during nighttime hours are urged to stay alert, maintain safe following distances, and avoid risky overtaking maneuvers near the excavation zone. Rain or further instability on the hillside could disrupt operations, so travelers are strongly advised to check real-time road conditions before setting out on their journeys.
The Strategic Importance of Prithvi Highway
The Prithvi Highway serves as the central economic lifeline for Nepal, connecting Kathmandu with major western cities like Pokhara, as well as crucial transit points leading to the southern Terai plains and international border crossings. Thousands of vehicles transit this highway daily, carrying essential food supplies, industrial goods, fuel, and daily commuters.
Whenever a major interruption occurs along this highway—whether due to landslides, structural road cave-ins, or river erosion—it immediately strains national supply chains and impacts public mobility. The frequent vulnerability of critical corridors like Galaudi highlights the ongoing need for resilient infrastructure design, advanced slope stabilization, and proactive river training works across Nepal’s complex mountain terrain.
Conclusion
The partial reopening of the Galaudi sector offers immediate relief to stranded passengers and freight operators who rely on the Prithvi Highway. While the transition to one-way traffic restores vital connectivity toward Kathmandu, travelers must prepare for slow movement and lingering congestion. The Department of Roads continues to monitor the site closely while working toward permanent restoration of the damaged highway section.
