MYAGDI: Repair and restoration work is underway on the Beni-Jomsom-Korala section of the Kaligandaki Corridor, which connects Nepal with China and India, after floods and landslides caused extensive damage during the recent monsoon disaster.
The 202-kilometre road, stretching from Pang in Kushma Municipality-1 of Parbat through Beni in Myagdi to the Korala border point with China, was blocked at more than 50 locations following heavy rainfall after the second week of Asoj. The Kaligandaki River also washed away sections of the road at 10 locations.
Tejashwi Sharma, chief of the Beni-Jomsom-Korala Road Project, said repair work is underway along an approximately 12-kilometre stretch from Kunouta in Raghuganga Rural Municipality-2 to Pokharebagar in Annapurna Rural Municipality, with the aim of restoring vehicular movement by next Monday.
“As soon as the rains stopped, we repaired the road from the Korala border to Bhurung-Tatopani in Myagdi within two days from September 28,” Sharma said. “By Monday evening, around 25 kilometres of the road from Maldhunga through Beni, Baisari and Kunouta had also been repaired.”
The Kaligandaki River has washed away around 250 metres of road at Kunouta, making the area difficult to access on foot and posing a major challenge to repair crews. Initially, workers also faced difficulties constructing an alternative route near the Rahughat Hydropower Project in Tilkenichowar, Raghuganga Rural Municipality-3, as well as shortages of fuel.
The project said a new track has been opened in front of the Rahughat power plant and that fuel supplies are now being managed with the, we cleared the landslide with the help of the Nepali Army and drones on Monday,” Sharma said.
After six flights, 400 litres of diesel were transported across the damaged section, making it easier to continue repairs above Kunout being opened at Pokharebagar and Ratopani in Annapurna Rural Municipality.
Two new tracks have been opened at Ratopani, and workers have been mobilized to construct an access road Pokhara, and road restoration has been accelerated by mobilizing 15 excavators, 12 tippers and 15 loaders from the support of the Nepali Army, volunteers and drones.
“Since it was not possible to transport the fuel required for repairs above Kunouta by road, we cleared the landslide with the help of the Nepali Army and drones on Monday,” Sharma said. “After six flights, 400 litres of diesel were transported across the damaged section, making it easier to continue repairs above Kunouta.”
Repair work is also underway at Mahabhir and Bhirkate, while new road tracks are being opened at Pokharebagar and Ratopani in Annapurna Rural Municipality. Two new tracks have been opened at Ratopani, and workers have been mobilized to construct an access road to the Kaligandaki Bridge at Pokharebagar.
Narendra Subedi, chief of the Federal Road Supervision Project, Pokhara, said road restoration has been accelerated by mobilizing 15 excavators, 12 tippers and 15 loaders from the Department of Roads and construction companies.
“The Department of Roads and construction companies are working simultaneously at all affected locations to reopen the blocked sections,” Subedi said. “The work is being carried out with the aim of completing the repairs within this week.”
According to Subedi, the Korala border point has become increasingly important for trade with China as the Rasuwa and Tatopani border crossings remain closed. He said the government has given high priority to restoring the road linking Nepal to the Korala border as soon as possible.
The urgency has also increased as the apple marketing season in Mustang has begun and the period for transporting sheep for the Dashain-Tihar festivals is approaching. With the tourist season also getting underway, there is growing pressure to restore the Beni-Jomsom road at the earliest.
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