Jhapa, Dec. 26 -- The ongoing project to upgrade the East-West Highway into an Asian Highway-standard four-lane route has been moving at a sluggish pace, with poor conditions reported along the under-construction stretches from Kakarbhitta in Jhapa to Laukahi in Sunsari.

Travellers have faced frequent problems-dust clouds when the roadbed is left dry, and slippery surfaces when water accumulates. Diversions created for construction have also increased the risk of accidents.

On December 20, two young men-25-year-old Bhupal Adhikari of Bhadrapur-9 and 25-year-old Tishtrak Subedi of Bhadrapur-7-lost their lives after a motorcycle crash at a diversion near Giribandhu Tea Estate in Birtamod. The same day, a scooter skidded on a slippery sect...