Kathmandu, March 8:  The construction under the Mid-Hill Highway is likely to miss the target set for this year. Although blacktopping in 350 km was expected to take place in the 1,879 km highway during the current fiscal year, the project recorded less than 50 km blacktopping so far, said project director Dipak KC.    

"We'd planned to intensify the blacktopping this month, but the rains hampered it badly," he said, adding that sudden change in weather is the main reason behind the delay. He however said if 200 km roadway is blacktopped in coming two months, the expectation would be met.    

Eight out of 16 bridges have been constructed as part of the Highway. As the works for bridge construction can be done even in the cold time, fifty percent progress was made on it, he claimed. Old and already blacktopped roadway stretching to 462 km has been brought under the Mid-Hill Highway.    

According to project director KC, although there is no effect of coronavirus on construction of Mid-Hill Highway, the weather change is to hinder undoubtedly.    

Combined with the already pitched 462 km section, some 850 km road has been blacktopped so far. The government has aimed to accomplish the Mid-Hill Highway by the fiscal year 2079/2080.