Malekhu. Dhading: The Daregaudabhir of Dhading-Malekhu road section is at high risk this year as well. The road at Daregouda near Nilkantha Municipality-8, Sasah in Dhading along the Kalu Pandey Road is at risk of landslide. According to locals, the condition of the road has been dangerous since the road was paved. The Kalu Pandey road connecting dhadingbesi with Prithvi Highway was blacktopped in 2058 BS. Road erosion and landslides have not stopped.

Bharat Dhungana, a local who has been using this road continuously since 2056 BS and the completion of blacktopping in 2058 BS, said, “In recent years, the trend of the road being pushed downwards and pushed from above has increased. ’

This is the main road connecting dhadingbesi, the district headquarters. It has been almost 24 years since the road in Neelkanth-8, Daregauda, started to collapse. However, in the last fiscal year, the Nuwakot Road Division Office had awarded the repair contract. Repairs had also begun. However, without studying the geographical conditions, the landslide damaged the work without completing the work. Dhungana said that as a result of this, more problems have arisen now.

The road, which has always been cracked in the middle of the road and has been blacktopped every year, has now become scary even when it is approaching. It is buried from the side of the road to the corner. There is no way people can go and stand in half. The vehicle is passing through the corner. Large vehicles have to pass through the landslide by hanging half the tires in the landslide.

Passengers and drivers face difficulties while crossing Daregouda on the main road connecting dhadingbesi, the district headquarters from other districts. Driver Dambar Bahadur Shrestha said, “When we reach the middle of the landslide, there is no hope that we will survive if they fall with the vehicle while carrying the load. ’

The length of the landslide is only about 100 meters. The risk is increasing every year due to lack of attention to road maintenance. The road is already narrower than elsewhere. There is a river on the lower side of the road. The landslide that started from the river bank is dragging the road. The number of landslides from above is increasing day by day.

Everyone knows that the road is at risk. Responsible people of the Department of Roads and the local government commute to the district headquarters through this road every day. However, there is no concern about possible risks and accidents.

According to experts, to prevent landslides, the wall should be lifted from the banks of the river and repaired. For the first time in the name of repair, gabion nets were installed in some parts this year. The gabion has collapsed along the road after the net. Locals have complained that the Road Department has only done the work of weeding by putting a little mesh on the top of the road where the foundation is not strong.

Arjun Sapkota, the then supervisor of Kalu Pandey Marg, had said that they were looking for a long-term solution by conducting a ‘soil test’. However, the risk has increased due to the lack of long-term solutions even after the last fiscal year’s budget. The locals have drawn the attention of the concerned authorities to carry out normal repairs and use of the alternative roads and to prevent possible accidents at the site.

Such is the alternative path

As an alternative route, one can get out of Deurali Chautara of Sasah to the waiting room of Lower Jamire via Brick Kiln, Maidi Bhanjyang. However, vehicles have not been able to use this road due to lack of repair of mud and potholes.

Although four-wheelers and high-rise vehicles can go, the alternative route is unusable due to the lack of access to all types of vehicles. The road is rough at a distance of about 500 meters between Sasah khola and khet. If an alternative route can be used by graveling in difficult areas, possible accidents can be prevented. There is also a road from Chautara near the landslide of Daregowda to lower Jamire via Maidibhanjyang.