MYAGDI: The shortage of fuel has emerged as the major obstacle in restoring the Myagdi section of the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road, which serves as a vital connection between China and India via Nepal.
The roadway was rendered impassable following multiple landslides triggered by heavy precipitation during the preceding week.
The flooding that resulted from sustained rainfall occurring between October last week obstructed the road access at approximately 46 distinct locations across a 50-kilometer stretch extending from Maldhunga to Ghasa.
Between Mustang and Bhurung Tatopani in Annapurna Rural Municipality of Myagdi, as well as from Maldhunga in Parbat to the Rahughat section of Myagdi, unidirectional traffic flow has been established following maintenance operations.
Director of the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road project, Tejashwi Sharma, reported that delays in dismantling the transmission tower at the power generation facility and switchyard installation in Raghuganga Rural Municipality-3 Tilkenichaur, combined with the depletion of fuel reserves, have created significant impediments to restoration efforts.
There exists an insufficient supply of diesel required to operate excavators, loading equipment, loaders, and dump trucks necessary for debris removal, slope excavation in the Tilkenichaur-Pokhrebagar section, Sharma stated.
Sharma indicated that collaborative efforts between districts to procure fuel from Mustang, dismantling of the tower through the Rahughat hydroelectric facility, high-level administrative action, and assessment of landslide-impacted roadways by senior officials have been facilitated.
Likewise, Administrator of Raghuganga Rural Municipality, Bhav Bahadur Bhandari, reported that an alternate route has been established via Begkhola through Piple-Bhagwati-Beg of Raghuganga to facilitate the movement of light vehicles and the transportation of fuel supplies.
A technical delegation, including Director General of the Roads Department, Dr. Bijay Jaisi, conducted an inspection of the landslide-affected roadways on Friday and committed to guaranteeing adequate resource availability for restoration work.
Director of the Rahughat hydroelectric project, Raj Bahadur Bista, urged pertinent authorities to refrain from deploying security personnel.
In Tilkenichaur, the ‘tailrace dock’ built to dump water from the power house of Rahughat hydropower project, roads, construction company’s equipment and camps have been damaged by erosion. Roads have been cut in Rahupare, Siruwari, Kunouta, Mahbhir, Bhirkate, Dhirchang and Ratopani, while the access road to the road bridge in Pokhrebgar has been washed away by floods.
After the closure of the Rasuwa and Tatopani crossings, the transport link with the Korala crossing, which became the only option for trade with China, has also been cut off due to road blockage.
The government has given high priority to opening the Beni-Jomsom road as tourist activities have stopped during the main season.
