Works on Myagdi's section of Kaligandaki Corridor in full swing

By Thakur Prasad Acharya,Beni, Mar. 12: Authorities are speeding up the upgrade, expansion, and construction of North-South Kaligandaki Corridor in Myagdi district, one of the national pride projects.

According to the project officials, works are underway along the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road section. 

"The vehicle movement has been eased along the Kavrebheer area, which is said to be the most dangerous along the section, by blasting explosives and cutting the hills. Recently, the road has been expanded and the RCC technology is being used to pave the road," said Jagat Prajapati, chief of the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road project.

Kavrebheer area falls along the border of Myagdi and Mustang districts along a difficult geographical location, making it necessary for the project to use explosives for over a year.

Works are also underway to maintain the grade and construct machinery and gabion walls along the road.

"There is no plan to blacktop this section, so we are using RCC technology. Around 1.4 to 1.6 kilometres of the section will have a concrete pavement. It will allow vehicles to move with ease even during monsoon," Prajapati added.

The road has also been expanded to accommodate two vehicles that can pass easily from both sides. 

They are now preparing to blacktop the Ghans area-Tukuche section of Mustang district and the Ratopani-Dana section of Myagdi district.

Likewise, the Beni-Galeshwor section of the Karnali Corridor is also being upgraded speedily. 

The contract for blacktopping of the 2.2-km section has been awarded to Jay Dhananjaya/Mangaladevi Subash Construction Pvt. Ltd. JV via Beni-Jomsom-Korala Road Project seven months ago under Rs. 122,594,436 with a two-year deadline.

This section is being blacktopped around two decades after the track was opened.

Around 150 labourers have been deployed with quality equipment by the contractor company to complete the work at the earliest without affecting the quality.

"The section is being expanded to eight metres, culvert is being constructed, and a 200-metre section is being paved with concrete. The physical progress has reached 20 per cent, and before the end of the fiscal year, it is expected to reach 80 per cent. Only the work of blacktopping will remain after it," said Prajapati.

Contractor Subash Chandra Karki informed that they plan to complete the work one year before the deadline. "The road is closed for six-and-a-half-hours to work without obstruction. Since it is a part of the National Pride Projects, we are determined to fulfil our responsibility at the earliest without compromising in quality," he added.

This section is also the welcome gate to Muktinath area. 

Once the road construction is completed, tourists can travel with ease to Mustang district. The locals of Raghuganga and Annapurna rural municipalities will also be able to commute effectively.

Locals and tourists to major religious sites Galeshwordham and Muktinath have been facing inconvenience for years due to the pathetic state of the road.