KATHMANDU: The Saljhandi-Dhorpatan road project, which started 14 years ago to connect the Terai with the hilly districts, has seen only 30% completion.
The project, which began in 2010, aimed to improve access to Nepal’s only hunting reserve in Dhorpatan. However, progress has been slow due to budget shortages.
The 197-kilometer road starts from Saljhandi in Rupandehi and passes through Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Gulmi, and Baglung.
So far, only 18 kilometers have been blacktopped — 4.5 kilometers in Rupandehi and 13.5 kilometers in Arghakhanchi — according to Christina Thapa, an engineer at the project office. She said graveling is currently underway in different sections across the five districts.
Thapa said blacktopping work is ongoing on a 22-kilometer stretch from Burtibang in Baglung to Falleghar. Another 13.5 kilometers from Kanchankhola in Rupandehi and Palpa to Khursane is also being paved.
Additionally, a 22-kilometer section from Khursane in Palpa to Patout in Arghakhanchi is under construction.
Further blacktopping work is planned for a 7-kilometer stretch from Mate to Bhandara in Arghakhanchi, 19 kilometers from Purkotdaha in Gulmi to Sirseni, and 8.2 kilometers from Sirseni to Arkhabang in Gulmi.
However, the project office reported work on 32 kilometers of road — including 18 kilometers in Arghakhanchi and 7 kilometers each in Gulmi and Baglung — has not yet started.
Locals and tourists continue to face difficulties due to the poor road conditions.
Bam Bahadur Sunar of Dhorpatan-9 said vehicles often break down or get stuck in the mud because of the narrow roads and potholes. He added travel is difficult during the rainy season and even in winter, transportation is disrupted.
“Thousands of locals and tourists suffer because the road remains unpaved,” Sunar said. “Tourists visit Dhorpatan once, but they rarely return due to the poor road conditions.”
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