Engineers suggest shifting a section of Mechi Highway

BY Kokila Dhakal,Ilam, July 16: Engineers have suggested finding an alternative to a road section of Mechi Highway in Ilam Municipality-9.

The highway section from the Rajduwali Bridge over the Mai Khola to Bhanjyang has been in a deteriorating condition for years as the entire slope is gradually moving down causing frequent landslips every year, especially in monsoon. 

Although the Department of Roads has been spending millions of rupees for the maintenance of the highway section, landslides have been a recurring problem. As a result, commuters have to face ordeals while passing through the road section while the fear of a landslide is always there.    

A team led by Kalpana Shrestha, Chief District Officer of Ilam, recently inspected the road, and the engineers suggested her shifting the particular section of the highway to a safer place.  

According to engineer Laxman Baral at the Road Division Office Ilam, approximately 300 metres of road in the area could not be maintained at any cost due to its geological conditions.

Another engineer Manisha Kattel said that the Road Department Office pointed out an alternative road for the area connecting Silpur of Godak in Ilam Municipality-10 and Tilkeni of Ilam Municipality-9. However, no official decision has been made on it, she added.

Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Committee Ilam had suggested the Road Division Office find an alternative road four years ago. 

Similarly, about five years ago, a geological study team showed land sinking within the geographical region above the Rajduwali Bridge. According to a study by Nepal Private Limited in Kathmandu, approximately 15 metres of earth under the ground level was found sliding. The study recommended reinforcing the area up to 20 to 25 metres below the surface and constructing concrete retaining walls.

Stakeholders pointed out that the eastern hilly region would be affected if transportation was blocked due to landslides in the road section.