KATHMANDU: Work is underway to resume transportation along the flood-damaged Galchhi-Syafrubesi road section in Rasuwa by the end of Ashoj. According to the Department of Roads, traffic has already resumed at most locations following repairs.
Department of Roads Director General Dr Bijay Jaisi said efforts were underway to reopen the entire Galchhi-Syafrubesi section by Dashain.
A temporary repair of Kolpukhola, which connects Dhading and Nuwakot, has been completed and traffic has resumed. The department has also completed the contracting process for permanent repairs, and the contractor has started work.
At Ratomate, around 200 metres of road was washed away by the flood. The section has been reopened after back-cutting work. In Nuwakot’s Devighat, the Nepal Army has installed a Bailey bridge, allowing traffic to operate from Galchhi to Bidur.
According to the department, nine kilometres of the approximately 10-kilometre road between Bidur and Betrawati has reopened. Around 300 metres remains blocked by a landslide.
The Nepal Army has started blasting and opening a track from both sides in the affected section. Traffic is expected to resume there within a few days.
After that, Bailey bridges will need to be installed at Betrawati and Syafrubesi. Once the bridges are installed at both locations, traffic will resume along the entire Galchhi-Syafrubesi route.
“A Bailey bridge will be installed at Betrawati, Rasuwa, at the site of the old bridge. The old foundation has been located, and the Bailey bridge will be installed after the foundation is repaired,” Director General Jaisi said. “The Bidur-Betrawati road must be completed first.”
A 72-metre Bailey bridge available with the Nepal Army will be installed at the site.
Beyond Betrawati, there are no major problems along the road through Dhunche to Syafrubesi. However, a Bailey bridge still needs to be installed at Syafrubesi.
Design work has begun to install a 76-metre Bailey bridge at the location.
“Although a bridge of around 90 metres is required at Syafrubesi, preparations are underway to use a 76-metre Bailey bridge based on the available structure,” the department said.
Around 15 kilometres of road from Syafrubesi toward Rasuwagadhi has been completely affected by the floods. A survey of the area has already begun.
Meanwhile, at Krishnabhir along the flood-damaged Muglin-Galchhi road section, a new track has been opened and two-way traffic has resumed.
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