Ilam. The Tilkeni-Simalgo road section has come into operation as an alternative to the Mechi highway. The road section has come into operation with the construction of a temporary diversion at Jogmai rivulet linking Maijogmai rural municipality-4, Namsaling and Ilam municipality-10, Godak.

Chief of the Road Division Ilam, Pawan Bhattarai, said that small vehicles have started operating through the road. “A temporary diversion has been constructed in the Jogmai River by laying a tailrest of hum pipe and hydro power”, he said. According to him, 10 hum pipes and hydropower tailrest have been laid in the Jogmai River.

Chief District Officer Sunita Nepal said the Tilkeni-Simalgo road section was chosen as an alternative after the Ilam-Rajduwali road section at Ilam municipality-9 was obstructed along the Mechi Highway. The temporary diversion was constructed after the Bailey Bridge over the Jogmai River was swept away by the flood on October 1.

It has been easier for the passengers and transport entrepreneurs coming to Jhapa from Ilam, Panchthar and Taplejung after the alternative road was brought into operation on the 12th day. The 12-km alternative road that connects Tilkeni of Ilam district headquarters to Godak of the Mechi highway has been considered as the main alternative for the time being.

CDO Nepal, however, said that alternative routes have not been identified for heavy and cargo vehicles. He said it was difficult to operate large vehicles due to the fast turn and narrowness.

Ilam district has been cut off from the road network for the past 12 days due to landslides triggered by incessant rains.