Mountains. The Thulipokhari-Khaula section of the Dovilla-Silmi-Thulipokhari-Khaula-Karkineta road that was opened three decades ago will be closed for 20 days.

A meeting of stakeholders held at the District Administration Office decided to shut down the road from April 24 to April 13.

Around three kilometers road along the stretch is being blacktopped. Although four-wheelers have been banned on the roads, two-wheelers will be allowed to operate. The District Administration Office has urged all to use alternative roads during the period. The Bamra-Gairathok-Ratadanda route Bumi-Lampata-Gahatepok-Cycle Chowk route has been requested to be used as alternative road.

According to the Infrastructure Development Office, the construction of drains, widening of roads, installation of gabion mesh and other structures for blacktopping of the Thulipokhari-Khaula section is being completed. According to Bigyan Poudel, an engineer at the Gandaki Province Office, the construction of the project started last year after signing an agreement of Rs 58 million under the multi-year plan of the Gandaki Province Government.

Engineer Poudel said that around three kilometers of the road will be blacktopped this year and 250 meters of the road will be sloped. Engineer Prabin Gurung of Devchuli-Kaliganga JV Construction Company said the road construction was completed on time.

Some section of Dovilla-Silmi-Thulipokhari-Khaula-Karkineta road section from Silmi to Thulipokhari has already been blacktopped. According to the Infrastructure Development Office, the remaining works will be completed by casting and blacktopping. Now, around four kilometers of road from Khaula to Karkinetta is left to be blacktopped. If this road is blacktopped, it can be used as an alternative road to the Mid-Hill Highway. Some vehicles heading towards Syangja, Palpa and Butwal still use this route.

Jhalak Rimal, ward chairman of Kushma Municipality-12, Thulipokhari, said that the budget for blacktopping the road has not been made in sufficient quantity despite demanding budget time and again. He said that the budget is being demanded for the next fiscal year as well.

Chief District Officer (CDO) Laxmi Prasad Poudel urged the locals to utilize alternative routes to complete the construction of the road as there would be some difficulties in carrying out development works. He requested the contractors to complete all the works within 20 days.