Embankments built to keep Beni Bazaar safe

BY THAKUR PRASAD ACHARYA,Myagdi, Aug.1: Rupatal Conservation Integrated Development Project (RCIDP) has completed nine major conservation projects to protect Beni Bazaar, the district headquarters, and its surrounding settlements from the high risk of erosion by the Kaligandaki and Myagdi rivers. The projects started two years ago were completed at Rs. 480 million.

The project has constructed permanent embankments along the banks of the Kaligandaki, Myagdi and Raghuganga rivers, which were causing high risk to Beni Bazaar, Galeshwor, Ram Mandir, Bagarphat, Parbat, Beni and Mangalaghat Bazaar. 

Ramesh Kumar Shrestha, Chair of Ward No. 7 in Beni Municipality, said, “The market was at risk due to erosion by the Kaligandaki River. The JCI building in Beni Municipality-7 and the Myagdi Chamber of Commerce building were at high erosion risk. Now, Beni Bazaar is safe after constructing a permanent embankment in the high-risk areas."

Pokhara Project Engineer, Krishna Bahadur BK said, "A 164-metre-long counterfort wall (a new heavy wall technology) was built in the high-risk erosion area from the JCI building to the Chamber of Commerce building as the area was at a high risk of erosion." 

He said that constructing that type of wall was very expensive. “We have constructed a strong concrete wall using rods with diameters of 32mm, 16mm and 12mm. We believe this will protect Beni Bazaar from flood and erosion."

According to him, a 14-meter-wide foundation was laid on the riverbank and an 8-meter-high RCC wall with a thickness of 50 cm was built two metres above. Rautahat-BNB Construction JV and Mount Dhaulagiri Construction were awarded the construction contract for Rs. 96.6 million.

Similarly, a permanent embankment has been constructed to protect the religious site Ram Mandir, which was at high risk of erosion by the Kaligandaki and Raghuganga rivers. A 138-metre-long composite wall was built along the Kaligandaki River bank in Jaljala Rural Municipality-2 of Parbat district. A contract was signed with Machhapuchre Construction Services on January 23, 2023, at Rs. 43.57 million to complete the project within two years. However, the project was completed six months ahead of the deadline. 

Additionally, a 263-metre permanent embankment was built from the Division Forest Office to Mangalaghat Bazaar in Myagdi for Rs. 96.1 million. Likewise, an 84-metre-long composite wall was constructed from the building of Aama Samuha to the confluence of Myagdi and Kaligandaki rivers in Jaljala Rural Municipality-3.