ILAM: The Tilkeni–Simalgolai road section—an alternative route to the Mechi Highway—reopened from today following the construction of a diversion over the Jogmai River. This vital route connects Namsaling in Maijogmai Rural Municipality–4 with Godak in Ilam Municipality–10.
According to Pawan Bhattarai, Chief of the Ilam Road Division Office, vehicular movement will resume after completion of diversion works on the Jogmai River, where infrastructure was recently installed.
“Construction on the Jogmai River has been expedited following the laying of eight humpipes and three tailrests. The river flow has been diverted, and we are preparing to allow small vehicles to use the road starting Wednesday,” said Bhattarai, adding that four excavators were deployed for the diversion work.
The diversion became necessary after the bailey bridge over the Jogmai River was washed away by a flood on Asoj 18. Since then, the Tilkeni–Simalgolai road remained closed for over 11 days, disrupting travel and transport between Ilam and neighboring districts.
Chief District Officer Sunita Nepal explained that the road section was designated as an official alternative after the Ilam–Rajduwali section of the Mechi Highway in Ilam Municipality–9 was blocked by landslides.
“We had no choice but to build a diversion to restore partial connectivity. Passengers and transport operators have faced significant difficulties due to the delay,” she said.
The 12-kilometer alternative road—linking Tilkeni to Godak—is now the main access route for small vehicles traveling to and from Ilam’s district headquarters. Some vehicles have already begun operating on the Tilkeni–Bajradevi–Namsaling–Nayabazar–Fikkal route since Sunday.
However, CDO Nepal noted that a viable alternative for heavy or cargo vehicles has yet to be identified. “The road’s narrow width and sharp bends make it unsuitable for large vehicles,” she said.
Ilam district has remained cut off from the road network with neighboring Jhapa for 11 days due to landslides triggered by heavy rainfall.
The obstruction of the Ilam–Rajduwali road has affected passenger movement and goods transport across Ilam, Jhapa, Panchthar, and Taplejung. Road Division Chief Bhattarai added that reopening the blocked highway will take time, given the region’s difficult terrain.
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