SURKHET: The Jajarkot section of the Mid-Hill Highway remains incomplete even 11 years after construction began. Of the total 85-kilometre stretch, only 55 kilometres have been blacktopped so far, while the section from Kudu to Thalaha is yet to be completed.
Construction of the highway section from Thalaha to Subaya has been completed, and the contractor has handed over this stretch to the concerned authorities.
The remaining nearly 30 kilometres of incomplete road has been causing difficulties every year. In particular, the 697-metre-long Manta Cliff (Manta Bhir) section remains unfinished, even though only the road track has been opened for more than a decade.
Chief Project Engineer Niranjan Thapa said that the contractor has recently returned to the site. The contract for this road section was awarded to Sharma–Singh Brothers, Kathmandu. Thapa added that preparations are underway to begin survey work in the Manta Bhir section.
The Mid-Hill Highway in Jajarkot consists of five sections, starting from Kudu in Bheri Municipality and ending at Suyada in Chhedagad Municipality.
Although the 17-kilometre Kudu–Syaulikhola section was originally scheduled for completion in 2075 BS, the deadline for Sharma–Singh Brothers JV was extended until Ashwin 2081 BS. So far, the project has achieved around 80 percent progress.
The Thalaha–Suyada section, measuring approximately 31 kilometres, has been completed and vehicles are operating smoothly. Local resident Rajendra Bikram Shah expressed frustration, saying it was unfortunate that the road could not be completed despite repeated deadline extensions over nearly 11 years.
Comment