PANCHTHAR: A temporary diversion is being constructed over the Feme River along the Phidim–Falot road in Panchthar to restore traffic movement. The road has been blocked since September 28, when floods washed away the previous diversion.
The Infrastructure Development Office, Panchthar, is building the new diversion using 20 hume pipes at the border of Phidim Municipality Wards 1 and 11. Engineer Mukesh Sah stated that the construction of both the diversion and the access road is expected to be completed by Monday.
This road serves as a vital link between Wards 10 to 13 of Phidim Municipality and Wards 3 to 8 of Falelung Rural Municipality with the district headquarters. Since the blockage, vehicles have been transporting passengers only up to the riverbanks, requiring travelers to walk across the river for about 15 minutes.
Although plans to install a bailey bridge are underway, progress has stalled due to budget constraints. In the meantime, the Nepali Army’s Birdal Battalion in Phidim has built a flyover to facilitate pedestrian movement.
Despite these efforts, residents like Lok Bahadur Budhathoki of Phidim-11 report continued difficulties in transporting goods, exporting local products, and assisting the sick and disabled across the river.
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