MYAGDI: The road from Tatopani in Myagdi to Ghasa in Mustang has been upgraded under the national pride Kaligandaki Corridor, part of the Beni–Jomsom–Korala road project connecting China and India.
The project to widen the road from Bhurung–Tatopani (Annapurna Rural Municipality–2) to Nagdhunga in Mustang and then to Kaihkukhola in Ghasa was initiated in fiscal year 2073/74. The plan involved widening the road to 11 meters, blacktopping it, and stabilizing slopes.
Work has now been completed on all but three kilometers and 300 meters of the 16.5-kilometer Tatopani–Ghasa section, contracted by Sharma–Gajurmukhi JV for Rs 630 million under a variation order.
JV Project Manager Narendra Neupane said that 2.5 kilometers of slopes and 10.7 kilometers using DBSD technology have been blacktopped. “Delays were caused by difficult terrain, the COVID-19 pandemic, floods, landslides, and shortages of river-borne construction materials,” he explained. He added that the formal handover process to the Road Project Office is still underway.
The project was completed five years behind schedule. Sharma Construction completed the remaining work after Gajurmukhi Construction Services faced internal issues. Work continues under a new contract in landslide-prone areas including Guinthe, Khambhitta, Duwarikhola, Latokhola, Rupse, Ghoptebhir, and Thadokhola.
The road has been widened using rock anchoring in Kavrevir, Badarjung, and Ghoptebhir, where narrow roads and hard rock presented challenges. Other areas blacktopped include Nagdhunga, Jalathale, Guinthe, Sukebagar, Dana, Titar, Kavre, and Ghansa.
Ramesh Purja, Ward Chairman of Annapurna Rural Municipality–3, said that travel time along this section has decreased from two hours to just 30 minutes. The upgraded road has made travel easier for tourists, pilgrims, locals, and goods vehicles transporting goods to and from the Korala border crossing. He also noted an increase in domestic and foreign tourist arrivals following the road improvement.
Sharma–Gajurmukhi JV was responsible for upgrading the Tatopani–Ghansa and Ghansa–Kaihkukhola–Khanti sections, with the 16-kilometer Kaihkukhola–Khanti section completed and handed over two years ago.
The 435-kilometer Kaligandaki Corridor, connecting India and China, is considered the lifeline of Gandaki Province. Under the 202-kilometer Beni–Jomsom–Korala road project, estimated at Rs 10.57 billion, 94 kilometers of gravel road, 88 kilometers of blacktop, and 14 road bridges have been completed. Project Chief Tejashwi Sharma said that 82 percent of the budget, or Rs 8.2 billion, has been spent so far.
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