Means of Transportation and current situation of transport in Nepal [Updated 2024]

Means of Transportation in Nepal

Surface Transport

1. Road Transportation: It is one of the most important modes of transport in Nepal. By mid-March 2023 all district headquarters have been linked to road network. This achievement aligns with the national goal to connect all 77 district headquarters by the end of the current plan period.

Major Highways of Nepal

East-West Highway (Mechi to Mahakali): 1,027.67 km

Mechi Highway (Illam to Taplejung): 224 km

Sagarmatha Highway (Mirchaiya to Salleri): 200 km

Karnali Highway (Surkhet to Jumla): 200 km

Prithvi Highway (Naubise to Pokhara): 174 km

Tribhuvan Highway (Kathmandu to Birgunj): 192 km

Siddhartha Highway (Pokhara to Bhairahawa): 184 km

Araniko Highway (Kathmandu to Kodari): 114 km

B.P Koirala Highway (Banepa-Sindhuli-Bardibas): 158 km

Source: Economic Survey 2023

As of mid-2023, the number of vehicles per km in the country has reached 121. The total length of the road network is 34,890 km.

Road Network in Nepal (Type and Length in km)

Types of Road	At the end of FY 2021/22	Up to mid-March 2023
Blacktopped	15,500	15,800
Graveled	9,600	9,900
Earthen (Fair Weather)	9,790	9,940
Total	34,890	35,640

Source: Economic Survey 2019/20

2. Railway Transportation: Nepal's railway service has limited potential due to financial and technical constraints. The first railway, established in 1936, operated between Amlekhgunj and Raxaul, spanning 48 km, but is no longer in service. The Janakpur-Jayanagar Railway, established in 1936, currently runs a 29 km line, with plans to extend 17 km to Bardibas and upgrade to broad gauge.

Various projects under construction include:

• Railway Construction Project
• Railway Project under Indian Cooperation
• Mechi-Mahakali Electric Railroad
• Kathmandu Metro Transport Project

3. Ropeway Transportation: Ropeways in Nepal serve as a crucial mode of transportation in the country's mountainous terrain. Historically, ropeways have been used for both cargo and passenger transport. The first cargo ropeway in Nepal was the Halchowk-Lainchour ropeway, built to transport stones for palace construction. The Kathmandu-Hetauda Ropeway, built in 1964 with USAID assistance, was one of the most famous cargo ropeways but is now out of operation.

Types of Ropeways

• Tar Pul or Ghirling: These rudimentary ropeways are used to cross rivers, often installed by local communities.
• Gravity Ropeways: Operated by potential energy, these are used in places like Mustang for transporting apples.
• Cargo Ropeways: These were used for transporting goods, with notable examples including the Kathmandu-Hetauda and Hetauda Cement Factory ropeways.
• Passenger Ropeways: Electrically operated, these include the Manakamana Cable Car, established in 1998, and the Chandragiri Cable Car, opened in 2016.

Major Ropeways in Nepal

Name	Location	Type	Length (m)	Capacity	Status
Manakamana Cable Car	Kurintar to Manakamana	Passenger	2772	600 persons/hour	Functional
Chandragiri Cable Car	Thankot to Chandragiri	Passenger	2400	1000 persons/hour	Functional
Kalinchowk Cable Car	Kuri to Kalinchok	Passenger	1000	Passenger service	Functional
Sangakot Cable Car	Phewatal to Sarankot	Passenger	2500	Under construction
Kathmandu-Hetauda Ropeway	Kathmandu to Hetauda	Cargo	42300	22 tons/day	Non-functional
Hetauda Cement Ropeway	Quarry to factory	Cargo	11000	150 tons/hour	Non-functional

Source: Wikipedia, 2024

Air Transport: 

Nepal is a mountainous and hilly country. Therefore, air transport service provides important service to people. Nepal’s aviation history date back to 1949 when the first-ever single engine aircraft landed in ting cow pastures in Sinamangal, Kathmandu which is today’s Tribhuvan International Airport.

Nepal, characterized by its challenging topography, relies heavily on its network of airports to connect various regions and promote tourism. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) oversees all airports, ensuring their operational efficiency and safety. Here's an overview of the current situation of airports in Nepal, categorized into international, domestic, and those under construction.

Overview of Airports in Nepal

Category	Airport Name	Status
International Airports	Tribhuvan International Airport	Operational
	Gautam Buddha International Airport	Partially Operational
	Pokhara International Airport	Under Construction
	Nijgadh International Airport	Planning
Domestic Airports	Lukla Airport	Operational
	Pokhara Airport	Operational
	Simikot Airport	Operational
	Jomsom Airport	Operational
	Bharatpur Airport	Operational
Airports Under Construction	Pokhara International Airport	Near Completion
	Gautam Buddha International Airport	Ongoing Enhancements
	Nijgadh International Airport	Planning

Source: CAAN Annual Report, 2023

Nepal's commitment to enhancing its airport infrastructure is evident through ongoing projects and improvements. The successful completion of these projects will significantly boost connectivity, tourism, and economic growth in the country.