Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Friday inaugurated the six-lane road widening along the East-West Highway passing through Bharatpur Metropolitan City, a project that completed 20 months behind schedule.

The 6-kilometre stretch from Narayanghat Pulchowk to Gondrang was initially launched by Oli himself on January 30, 2021 during his previous tenure as prime minister.

Despite setting a target of completing the task within 27 months, the project was only accomplished by mid-January this year.

Chief of the Bharatpur Division Road Office, Narayan Prasad Lamichhane, attributed the delay to the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges, noting that the total cost of the project amounted to Rs1.13 billion.

Along with the prime minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Devendra Dahal and Bharatpur Mayor Renu Dahal, among other top officials, were present during the inauguration.