Strategic Road Connectivity and Trade Improvement Project (SRCTIP) - Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)

Jul 19, 2026

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Strategic Road Connectivity and Trade Improvement Project (SRCTIP) provides support for upgrading Nepal’s key road network to strengthen economy and regional connectivity. The Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) evaluates environmental and social risks and impacts for the Nagdhunga-Naubise-Mugling (NNM) road upgrade to 2-lane Asian Highway standard, aligning with Nepal’s requirements and the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework and Standards. The assessment updates baseline conditions, identifies E&S impacts across preconstruction to operation, and informs mitigation and stakeholder, labor, and GBV planning.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

Executive Summary

Introduction

Project Description

Scope of ESIA

Legal and Institutional Framework

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Government of Nepal Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Department of Roads Development Cooperation Implementation Division (DCID) Jwagal, Lalitpur Strategic Road Connectivity and Trade Improvement Project (SRCTIP) Improvement of Naghdhunga-Naubise-Mugling (NNM) Road Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Prepared by Environment & Resource Management Consultant (P) Ltd. JV with Group of Engineer’s Consortium (P) Ltd., and Udaya Consultancy (P) Ltd. Kathmandu January 2020 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction The Government of Nepal (GoN) has requested the World Bank (WB) to support the improvements of existing roads that are of vital importance to the country’s economy and regional connectivity through the proposed Strategic Road Connectivity and Trade Improvement Project (SRCTIP). This project will support (a) Improvement of the existing 2-lane Nagdhunga-Naubise-Mugling (NNM) road (94.7 km on the pivotal north-south trade corridor connecting Kathmandu and Birgunj) to 2-lane Asian Highway standard; and (b) Upgrading of the Kamala-Dhalkebar-Pathlaiya (KDP) road of the Mahendra Highway (East West Highway) from 2-lane to 4-lane. This Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report only assesses the environmental and social risks and impacts of the NNM road in accordance with the Government of Nepal’s (GoN) requirements and the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and relevant Environmental and Social Standards(ESSs) . The KDP road is covered by a separate upstream Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA) based on pre-feasibility information since the feasibility study of KDP road has just commenced recently. The ESA will inform the detailed ESIA at the detailed design stage of the KDP road. Project Description The existing 2-lane Nagdhunga - Naubise – Mugling (NNM) (94.7-km section) will be improved to 2-lane Asian Highway Standards under SRCTIP. The total length of NNM road comprises of Naghdhunga-Naubise (12.3 km) (part ofTribhuvan Highway (TH) and NaubiseMugling (82.4 km) (part of a Prithvi Highway (PH) . The road is located in Kathmandu, Dhading and Chitwan district of Province 3. The alignment starts at Nagdhunga check-post and passes through Naubise, Khanikhola, Mahadevbesi, Galchhi, Baireni, Malekhu, Benighat, Kurintar and ends at Mugling. The road section has a junction with TH at Naubise. The highway also connects Nuwakot District via a newly constructed road in Galchhi and connects to the district headquarter of Dhading District at Phurke Khola, Malekhu. Similarly, at Mugling the highway has junction of Mugling-Narayanghat Road Section connecting this highway to Mahendra Highway (MH) . Map of Existing Road alignment The existing NNM road has been proposed to be improved into 2- lane Asian Highway Standard with a carriageway width of 7 meters and shoulder width of 1 to 2.5 meters from its current carriageway of 5.5 to 6.5 m and existing shoulder of 0.5 to 1m. Improving road safety will also be a key feature of NNM road improvements, including installation of signages and imposition of speed limits. The NNM road is one of the key roads connecting Kathmandu to Terai Region on the way to Indian border and other major cities of Nepal such as Pokhara (a major tourist destination), Narayanghat and Birgunj. Improvement of NNM road will provide better accessibility and driving/riding quality, ensuring efficient transportation and better traffic and road safety. It will also facilitate the development of physical infrastructures, contributing to local and regional development, economic initiatives and improvement of local wellbeing. The original ESIA work was carried out in 2016-2018 in accordance with Environmental Protection Act (EPA), 1997 and Environmental Protection Regulations (EPR), 1997 and WB Operational Policies 1. The ESIA report was submitted to WB as per the requirements. Th

FAQs

What does the ESIA cover for SRCTIP?

The ESIA assesses environmental and social risks and impacts for the Naghdhunga-Naubise-Mugling (NNM) road upgrade, from preconstruction through construction and operation & maintenance.

How is the NNM road intended to change under SRCTIP?

The existing 2-lane NNM road section (94.7 km) is planned to be improved to 2-lane Asian Highway standard, including updates to carriageway width and shoulder widths and safety measures.

Why is the ESIA updated to the World Bank’s ESF (2018)?

Earlier ESIA work was completed under previous requirements; after the World Bank released the new Environmental and Social Framework in 2018, this report updates the assessment to match ESF and related Environmental and Social Standards.

Jul 19, 2026

Upload by Asher