Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Heavy vehicles, including LPG bullet tankers, passed through the damaged section of the Prithvi Highway at Krishnabhir in Dhading on Sunday afternoon for the first time since August 30.
Around 20 vehicles, including an LPG bullet tanker, were allowed to pass through the damaged Krishnabhir section of the Prithvi Highway on a trial basis on Sunday, Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal said in a social media post. He added that work to bring the road into full operation was continuing at a fast pace.
Ashok Devkota, resident engineer of the Nagdhunga-Muglin Road Project, said in a social media post that small and medium-sized vehicles, along with gas bullet tankers, were able to pass through Krishnabhir.
“After 10 days of relentless efforts, small and medium-sized vehicles, along with gas bullet tankers, have been able to pass through Krishnabhir,” Devkota said.
The Prithvi Highway, the country’s main artery linking Kathmandu with the rest of the country, collapsed at Krishnabhir in Dhading on August 30 after the flood-swollen Trishuli River eroded a section of the highway.
The disruption affected the movement of essential supplies, including LPG, petroleum products, food items and vegetables, into Kathmandu, as well as the movement of passengers and goods between the capital and other parts of the country.
Although officials have designated alternative routes for vehicles entering and leaving Kathmandu following the collapse, heavy vehicles were facing difficulties using the narrow, single-lane alternative route.
The reopening of the Krishnabhir section is expected to ease pressure on the supply chain and improve the movement of essential goods into the capital.
