Projects in progress to save risky riverbank settlements in Beni

By Thakur Prasad Acharya,Beni, Mar. 17: Beni Bazaar and nearby settlements in Myagdi district are at risk of being eroded by the Kaligandaki River, Myagdi River and Raghuganga River. In an effort to avert the risk, eight projects are in progress to protect the settlements.

The projects are being implemented through Pokhara-based Rupatal Conservation Integrated Development Project under the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation. 

The projects, which aim to complete within two years, will protect Beni Bazaar, Galeshwor area, Ram Mandir area and places around Parbat Beni. 

Of the projects, the project to construct embankment along the Kalipul-Buspark-Mangalghat-FNCCI, Myagdi was awarded to Rautahat-BNB Construction JV under an agreement of Rs. 94.5 million last year. They have completed work worth Rs. 30 million as of now. 

"The section from Jaycees Building to FNCCI risks being eroded. To mitigate the risk, a 164-m-long fort wall, an advanced heavy wall, is being constructed," said Er. Krishna Bahadur BK of the project.

"It is expensive to construct such walls. It requires iron rods measuring 32, 16 and 12mm in width. By constructing a 14-m-wide foundation, 8-m-long walls will be constructed with a 50-cm thick concrete along the river banks as well," said Er. BK.

The construction work is also underway at night since they plan to construct several important infrastructures before the upcoming monsoon season.

Likewise, the process is underway to award the construction of a 262-m long composite wall along the bank of the Myagdi River in Mangalghat Bazaar area under two packages. The construction work has already started to protect the Ram Mandir area in Ward No. 2 of Jaljala Rural Municipality of Parbat district. Under the project, a 132-m-long wall will be constructed along the Kaligandaki River.

A contract has also been signed to construct a 90-m-long composite wall along the Kaligandaki River to protect the Bagarphant Village in wards 2 and 3 of Jaljala. 

According to the project, the contract process regarding an 80-m-long wall along the Ama Samuha building to the playground area in Beni is also in final stages. 

Also, an agreement has recently been reached with Himalayan Construction Taplejung to construct a 75-m-long wall at the confluence of the two rivers in Ward No. 2 of Beni. The construction has already started and is expected to complete in two years.

To protect Galeshwor area from erosion by the Raghuganga River, a 90-m-long wall is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 26.8 million. The project is in progress in full swing.

"We are coordinating with the authorities and stakeholders to complete the projects in time. We are also inspecting the work to ensure quality infrastructure," said Suraj KC, mayor of Beni Municipality.