MUSTANG: Construction of the Muktinath–Tetang Ring Road, which will connect Wards 1, 2, and 3 of Waragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality in Mustang, is currently underway.
The project aims to provide an alternative route for pilgrims visiting the renowned Muktinath Temple and for travel to Upper Mustang.
The physical progress of the project has reached 39 percent within the first five months of the current fiscal year. The 10-kilometre ring road is being implemented by the Infrastructure Development Office under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport, Gandaki Province. The road connects Muktinath from Jhong to Tetang via Purang.
A construction company signed a contract with the Infrastructure Development Office to expand the six-metre-wide alternative road at a cost of Rs 71.56 million with a target completion period of two years.
According to Sub-Engineer Jagadish Chandra Joshi of the Infrastructure Development Office, out of the total 10 kilometres, 6.5 kilometres will be newly opened while 3.5 kilometres will be upgraded.
Joshi also informed that road upgrade works are underway to connect Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Waragung Muktikshetra with a four-lane road. While the physical progress of the Muktinath–Tetang road project stands at 39 percent, the financial progress has reached 28.58 percent. So far, payments amounting to Rs 256,000 have been made to the construction company.
Once completed, the provincial government-led project is expected to ease travel for local residents and tourists from Upper Mustang, who currently have to descend to Kagbeni and travel to Muktinath via Khinga. The alternative route from Chhusang via Tetang will significantly shorten the distance for visitors and local residents traveling to Muktinath.
The completion of the ring road will also make travel more convenient for residents of Chengur, Jhong, Pudak, and Tetang villages in the Waragung Muktikshetra area.
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