Landslides obstructing Sanfe Martadi Highway regularly

By Sher Bahadur Sarki,  Bajura, July 31: Sanfe-Martadi Highway in Bajura district has been facing regular obstructions since mid-July due to regular heavy rain and landslides. Now, the highway is further devastated and obstruction continues arising.

Landslides in Barjugada, Balde, Amkot, Olena and Paninaula have led vehicles to halt in Balde, an area at Ward No. 2 of Budhiganga Municipality, without being able to reach the district headquarters Martadi.

“Vehicles stopping in Balde due to landslides have been common since past two months now. Martadi locals bring goods from Terai but vehicles cannot reach there due to regular monsoon obstructions,” said Bir Bahadur Thapa, a public transport ticket operator in Balde.

According to Thapa, in lack of vehicles, Martadi locals are using porters to carry the goods obstructed in Balde. Similarly, the porters are carrying goods with risk along the devastated highway.

The highway has been continuously obstructed since around two months and in lack of heavy vehicles, like excavator, amid continuous rain, the obstructions cannot be removed effectively.

During monsoon. Sanfe-Martadi alongside Martadi-Kolti road sections are always obstructed by landslides.

Buses, trucks, jeeps and tractors are able to operate along the graveled roads during winter season only.

While locals in different parts of Bajura pay reasonable price for goods when it is transported with ease during winter, the goods’ price increase during monsoon as it is carried through porters.

“The goods barely arrive as the road is obstructed. During monsoon, it has been common. As porters should carry the goods by taking two days, the price of goods increases. Locals suffer during monsoon across Bajura,” said Bal Rokaya, a local shopkeeper in Budhinanda Municipality of Bajura.

Meanwhile, Achham-based Road Division Office, which looks after Bajura as well, said that they have been renovating the roads regularly to remove obstruction and allow commuting.

“Rain doesn’t stop. We renovate the road once it stops but when it rains again, landslide falls and road gets obstructed yet again,” said Gokul Giri, supervisor at the road office.

Officers at Bajura District Police Office informed that obstructions have been cleared in other parts of the highway but landslides were falling regularly in Balde. 

“Once the rain stops, we could clear the obstruction easily and resume vehicle commuting to Martadi,” said Chief District Officer of Bajura Prakash Chandra Adhikari.

Locals suggested that authorities should prepare to construct a new road connection to Martadi as the recent highway often gets obstructed by landslides.