Kathmandu, Sept. 1 -- When massive floods in September last year washed away eight kilometres of the BP Highway, travelers heading east from Kathmandu for the Dashain, a major Hindu festival, were left stranded. The disaster came just days before the country's biggest holiday, leaving thousands unable to reach their homes on time. Journeys that usually took a day stretched into two through difficult alternative routes, while many abandoned their Dashain travel plans.

Almost a year later, with Dashain approaching once more, travelers are asking the same question: will the BP Highway be safe and smooth this time, or will festival-goers again face delays and disappointment?

The BP Highway, constructed with the support of the Japanese gover...