MYAGDI: Fourteen years after the track was first opened, the upgrade of the Darbang-Bim-Dichyam road in Malika Rural Municipality of Myagdi has finally begun.
The Infrastructure Development Office, Myagdi, has initiated the project to upgrade the Khara–Bima–Dadangaun section under a contract awarded through the budget of the Gandaki Province Government.
According to the office, Sarba Shakti Mahamaya Pvt. Ltd., which signed a contract worth Rs 11.99 crore last Asar, has started the initial phase of the road upgrade. So far, around 15 percent of the work has been completed.
The original 7-km road section from Khara to Bima was constructed in 2068 BS through contributions from the then-JBS, Bim VDC, and local residents.
The existing road, currently 3.5 to 5 meters wide, will be widened to 7 meters. The project also includes the construction of drainage systems, retaining walls, slope protection, graveling, and blacktopping, said Bishnu Poudel, Chief of the Infrastructure Development Office.
Resham Bahadur Jugjali, Provincial Assembly member from Myagdi-1(2), said the upgrade from Khara to Dadangaun via Bim Tallo Gaun was necessary due to the movement of heavy vehicles linked to the under-construction hydropower project on the Myagdi River.
During his tenure as Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management of Gandaki Province last year, Jugjali had secured a Rs 200 million multi-year project budget, beginning with an initial allocation of Rs 40 million. However, only Rs 15 million has been allocated for the current fiscal year.
While inspecting the road on Saturday, Jugjali urged the contractor to accelerate the work.
The contractor is currently building a retaining wall along the Lurwang–Tallogaun stretch, where the road has already been widened.
Residents of Malika Rural Municipality-7 (formerly Bim VDC), Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality-5 Malkawang and -6 Marang, and Malika-6 Dichyam are expected to benefit directly from the upgraded road, said local resident Budhi Jugjali of Khara.
The improved road is also expected to promote tourism to religious and natural destinations such as Malika Dhuri, Prabhuchela, and Bim Barah Lake, while supporting the transportation and sale of local agricultural products like oranges and potatoes.
Additionally, it is hoped the improved access will help curb migration from the area.
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