Myagdi, Dec 21: The road from Tatopani in Myagdi to Ghansa in Mustang has been upgraded under the Beni–Jomsom–Korala road project. The Beni–Jomsom–Korala road in the Kaligandaki river corridor is a national pride project. This highway connects China and India.
The plan to widen the road from Nagdhunga of Bhurung-Tatopani, Annapurna Rural Municipality-2 in Myagdi to Kaikhukhola section in Thasang Rural Municipality-4, Mustang, to 11 metres and to pave and asphalt it as a two-lane road was initiated in the fiscal year 2073/74.
Sharma–Gajurmukhi JV has completed the paving and concreting work on the Tatopani–Ghansa section road, which is 16.5 kilometres long. The road upgrading works has been contracted for Rs 630 million with a ‘variation order’, except for the 3.3 kilometres road damaged by landslides.
Project Manager of JV, Narendra Neupane, said that 2.5 kilometres of concrete and 10.7 kilometres of blacktop using DBSD technology have been completed. It was completed five years later than the target.
Neupane said, “The delay in project construction was due to adverse geography, the coronavirus pandemic, floods and landslides, and a shortage of construction materials. The upgraded road is in the process of being formally handed over to the Road Project Office.”
The project has started work through a new contract in the landslide-affected areas of Guinthe, Khambhitta, Duwarikhola, Latokhola, Rupse, Ghoptebhir, and Thadokhola section. In areas like Kabhrebhir cliff, Badarjung and Ghoptebhir cliff, the road has been widened through ‘rock anchoring’ due to steep rock face and narrow road.
The road has been asphalted in Nagdhunga, Jalthale, Guinthe, Sukebagar, Dana, Titar, Kabhre and Ghansa areas. The two-hour travel duration has been reduced to 30 minutes after the road was asphalted, said Ramesh Purja, the ward chairman of Annapurna Rural Municipality–3.
With the upgrading of this section of the road, travel has become easier for tourists, pilgrims, locals visiting Mustang, as well as cargo vehicles importing and exporting goods through the Korala checkpoint.
