Khanbari. KATHMANDU: The Khandbari-Kimathanka road section of the Koshi Highway has been reopened after 80 days. The road section has been obstructed since September 3 due to landslides at Samtar and Alfate areas of Bhotkhola rural municipality-3.

According to the North-South Koshi Road Project Office, the road has come into operation after long maintenance and removal of landslides.

Ram Bahadur Gurung, chief of the project, said that locals, contractors and project office jointly worked together to bring the road into operation. “The repair work was delayed due to difficult geography and incurable rainfall”, he said, adding, “We have been able to bring the road into operation after around 80 days of sustained efforts”. ’

According to him, soling and graveling of stones has been completed along the road and one-way traffic is being operated at present. With the opening of the road, vehicular movement has started through the concrete bridge over the Barun River.

People living in remote areas including Bhotkhola and Makalu have been reeling under shortage of daily essentials, medicines and construction materials due to the closure of the road. Locals said they had no access to health, education and administrative services besides daily commuting before this. According to the project, vehicles can be operated from Khandbari to Bhotkhola, Hatiya and Thogang Khola after the road comes into operation.

Wangchheder Bhote, chairperson of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality, said the resumption of the road after a long hiatus has brought the locals happy. “We are very happy that the road has been opened after around 80 days”, he said, adding, “We will also involve in the protection and repair work from the local level so that there is no obstruction again.” ’

The Koshi Highway is the major trade and strategic route of eastern Nepal. It aims to connect China’s border up to Kimathanka. The operation of the road is expected to ease the normal life and economic activities of the remote areas.