Myagdi, Oct 7: Repair and reconstruction work has been intensified along several sections of the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road under the Kaligandaki Corridor following floods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall.
The 202-kilometre road, which connects Pang of Kushma Municipality-1 in Parbat district with the Korala border point in China via Beni in Myagdi and Mustang districts, was disrupted at 55 locations.
The Kaligandaki River flood had washed away or damaged 10 sections following heavy rainfall from September 24 to 27.
Tejaswi Sharma, Chief of the Beni-Jomsom-Korala Road Project, said preliminary repair work had been completed at all affected sites except Kunauta in Raghuganga rural municipality-2 and the bridge approach road at Pokharebagar in Annapurna rural municipality.
The road sections from Maldhunga to Kunauta and from Korala to Pokharebagar have been restored for heavy vehicles.
According to Sharma, landslide clearance and construction of alternative routes have also been completed at Ratopani, Dhirchyang, Bhirkate, Mahabhir, Tiplyang and Begkhola.
At Kunauta, around 250 metres of the road was washed away. Four excavators and tippers are being deployed to restore the section, while a gabion wall is being constructed at Pokharebagar.
Narendra Subedi, Head of the Federal Road Supervision and Monitoring Office in Pokhara, shared that efforts are underway to reopen the remaining sections by Monday.
The Department of Roads has estimated that around Rs 3 billion will be required for reconstruction.
The Korala border point is strategically important for Nepal-China trade, particularly as the Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani border points remain closed.
Chief District Officer of Myagdi district Ganesh Gaire said the government was working on a high-priority basis to bring the road connecting the border point back into operation as soon as possible.
