MUSTANG: The Beni–Jomsom–Korala road section under the Kaligandaki Corridor, a key north–south connectivity project, has achieved 84 percent physical progress.
Since its inception, the Korala Road Project has signed budget contracts worth Rs 7.97 billion for 43 sub-projects, of which Rs 6.64 billion has already been spent.
Project Chief Dhruba Jha stated that 43 sub-projects have been implemented so far in the current fiscal year.
These include 20 road segments and 23 bridges constructed between Maldhunga in Parbat and Korala. Financial progress stands at around 85 percent for roadworks and 81 percent for bridge construction under the Korola section.
According to Jha, six sections of the 110 km gravel stretch between Jomsom and Korala have been handed over by contractors. Construction of the 25 km Charang–Chhoser road has reached the final phase.
Three kilometers of the Beni–Galeshwor stretch in Myagdi, as well as the Kaiku–Khanti segment under the Beni–Jomsom third section, have been blacktopped with asphalt and handed over to the Corridor Road Project.
Blacktopping work on the Galeshwor–Tatopani, Tatopani–Ghansa, and Khanti–Jomsom roads is also nearing completion.
The road from Kaiku to Khanti in Mustang, part of the Beni–Jomsom third section, has been completed and handed over to the Road Division Office in Baglung.
Out of the 74 km of the Beni–Jomsom section, 20 km has been completed, and the rest is under construction.
Bridge construction is progressing rapidly at key river crossings such as Kaiku Khola, Larjung Khola, Seto Khola, Ghami Khola, and Marfa Khola in Mustang.
All 23 bridges under the Kaligandaki Corridor Project are nearing completion, according to project spokesperson Bishnu Chapagain.
Of the Rs 900 million allocated for the current fiscal year, Rs 310 million was redirected to other projects.
The project has fully utilized the remaining Rs 590 million, although Rs 300 million is still pending in payments to contractors.
An additional Rs 140 million was allocated by the Ministry of Finance, but Chapagain said the budget remains insufficient. A request for more funds has been made.
“This year’s budget has not covered payments for works that have already achieved physical progress,” Chapagain said. “We’re hopeful the Ministry of Finance will increase the budget soon. If not, the remaining work may be delayed.”
Physical progress on specific sections includes 99 percent completion on the Galeshwor–Tatopani stretch, 90 percent on Khanti–Jomsom, and full blacktopping on the 13 km Maldhunga–Beni segment in Parbat.
Project Chief Jha added that 85 km of the 105 km Maldhunga–Kagbeni road is expected to be completed by the end of the current fiscal year.
The project aims to complete and hand over 80 km of the Beni–Jomsom–Korala section to the Road Division Office, Baglung, by the next fiscal year.
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