Myagdi. It is estimated that the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road, which connects China and India, has damaged physical infrastructures worth one billion rupees.

According to the Beni-Jomsom-Korala Road Project, three to four billion rupees will be required for the reconstruction of the road which was damaged due to landslides, floods in the Kaligandaki river and erosion caused by the rain from September 22 to 23. Project chief Tejaswi Sharma said that the floods in Kaligandaki have swept away and damaged roads in 10 places and landslides in 50 places.

“Although the preliminary repair of the road estimated to be Rs 800 to Rs 900 million will come into operation within two weeks, we have estimated that an additional Rs 3 to four billion will be required to restore it to its original condition,” he said, adding, “Along with the control of the landslide and river control, the work has to be done as per the design of the oxphalt pitch in the Myagdi section of the road where DBSD was blacktopped earlier.” ”

Out of the 202-km road linking Maldhunga of Parbat to Korala border point of Mustang via Beni of Myagdi, the maximum damage has been done in the 33-km stretch of the Myagdi section. In addition to the places that were said to be at risk of landslides and erosion earlier, erosion and landslides have also occurred in new places.

Narendra Subedi, chief of the Federal Road Supervision Office, Pokhara, said that the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road, which was started in 2073/74 BS, has suffered the most damage so far. Subedi, who is also the founding chief of the project, said that the recently upgraded road in Myagdi section has suffered a lot of damage.

Earlier, it used to take three to four hours to cross the Myagdi section after the floods and landslides. Landslides and erosion have caused huge damage in Pharse, Kerabari, Lamabagar of Parbat, Tilkenichhour, Rahupare, Baisari, Siruwari, Kunauta, Mahavir, Bhirkate, Dhirchyang, Ratopani, Naunibagar, Tatopani, Guithebhir, Khambhitta and Sukebagar areas of Parbat.

The Pokhrebagar road bridge that was swept away by the Kaligandaki river has been constructed as a temporary route for vehicular movement. Subin Shrestha, president of Myagdi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that there is a problem of traffic jam as the road has been opened to allow one-way traffic in the landslide and erosion area. There is a lot of pressure of tourists and locals coming to Mustang from the container coming to Korala checkpoint, vehicles coming from the border point.

The Beni-Jomsom-Korala road is considered important from the point of view of Korala border point, tourism and internal transportation. Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mahabir Pun, who inspected the damaged road a few days ago, directed the government to expedite the budget for the reconstruction of physical infrastructures.