KATHMANDU: A task force investigating the disappearance of two buses and their passengers in the Trishuli River due to a landslide in Simaltal, located on the Narayangadh-Muglin road section of Chitwan, submitted its report to Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak on Tuesday.
On July 12, the Bagmati Province bus 03-006 Kha 1516, traveling from Birgunj to Kathmandu, and the Bagmati Province bus 03-001 Kha 2459, heading from Kathmandu to Gaur, were swept away by the Trishuli River following a landslide in Simaltal.
Out of the 65 passengers on the two buses, three managed to escape by jumping out, while the bodies of 24 individuals were recovered.
The condition of the remaining two buses and 38 passengers is still unknown.
Following the incident, the government formed a five-member task force, led by Joint Secretary Chabi Rizal, with representatives from three security agencies and the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure, to study the incident.
The report indicated that the construction of rural roads by the Bharatpur metropolis, without consulting engineers, was the main cause of the landslide.
According to the report, a flash flood from the rural roads swept away the two passenger buses at Simaltal, Chitwan.
Joint Secretary Chabi Rizal stated that the local government constructed rural roads on steep and hilly terrain without proper engineering consultation.
The report identified five key causes of the incident:
Construction of rural roads without proper consultation with engineers.
Lack of a unified information system.
Negligence in the management of culverts.
Construction of roads in rural areas without conducting environmental impact assessments.
Insecure highways.
The findings highlight the need for better planning and consultation in rural road construction to prevent future tragedies.
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