Mustang, Aug 15: A hefty public spending of over Rs 8.96 billion has been incurred for the construction of tri-national (Beni–Jomsom–Korala) highway project connecting China and India.
The Kaligandaki Corridor Korala road project has reported that the amount was spent from the initial fiscal year 2073/074 to 2082/083.
According to Korala road project chief Tejashwi Sharma, the initial cost estimate of the Korala road project was Rs 10.56 billion, but Rs 8.96 billion was spent until last year.
The latest revised cost estimate of the project has reached Rs 15 billion. As per the revised estimate, the overall physical progress of the (Beni–Jomsom–Korala) road project has reached 65 percent with financial progress touching 60 percent.
The construction of the Korala road, a national pride connecting north and south, has its latest revised completion period set for 2088/089.
Initially, the project began with 74 km of four-lane asphalted road from Beni to Jomsom and 119 km of seven-segment gravel road from Jomsom to Korala.
So far, dozens of additional plans, including roads and bridges, have been incorporated into the project.
There is a plan to blacktop and upgrade 202 km of road from Maldhunga in Parbat to the Nepal-China Northern Korala.
Of the target to blacktop 202 km from Maldhunga to Korala, 90 km had been completed by mid July 2026.
Sharma informed that under the Kaligandaki Corridor, an additional contract of Rs 2 billion has been solicited to upgrade and blacktop the 50 km road from Chhusang to Ghami in Mustang.
In the current fiscal year, a contract for blacktopping 500-meter will be opened for the landslide-prone section of the Beni–Jomsom road in Sirobari, Myagdi.
Similarly, under the Korala Road Project, there is a target to construct 26 motorable bridges from Maladhunga in Parbat to Korala checkpoint.
By the fiscal year 2082/083, total 18 bridges have already been completed, the project chief said.
Four permanent bridges are currently under construction on the Korala Road, and the budget allocation for the remaining four required bridges is yet to be done, she shared.
Under the national pride Korala Road, landslide prevention work is ongoing at three locations in the Myagdi section of the Beni–Jomsom road, with landslide prevention carried out in Guithbheer, Khambhitta, and Baisari of Myagdi, project chief Sharma said
