Recent natural disasters cause significant damage to roads, repair may cost Rs 25 billion

Kathmandu, Oct 4: Recent natural disasters triggered by incessant rains have caused damages worth Rs 25 billion to road infrastructure. It is estimated that around Rs 3 billion will be required for the temporary restoration of damaged roads and bridges, while full reconstruction could cost between Rs 20-25 billion.

At a meeting of the Infrastructure Development Committee, House of Representatives today, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Devendra Dahal reported on the losses incurred due to flooding and landslides that occurred on September 27-28. He added that efforts are underway to restore disrupted roadways and highways temporarily.

The disasters affected 34 highways at 805 locations, with landslide debris cleared from 774 points so far. Traffic has resumed on 29 highways, and ongoing measures aim to reopen transport services at 31 locations across five major highways.

Minister Dahal stated that in some areas, merely removing landslide debris is insufficient to reopen the service; support walls, Hume pipes, and temporary Bailey bridges are also needed.

The Larcha-Kodari section of the Araniko Highway is particularly affected, with the Liping Bridge and the Larcha-based Bailey Bridge swept away by floodwaters.  It has been planned to fix the problems temporarily by using Hume pipes, and penstock pipes, and constructing a makeshift bridge at Liping.

As the government said, it plans to take all available alternatives to restore the traffic temporarily.  

 At the Dolalghat-Rakdhum section of the Pushpa Lal (Mid Hill) Highway, an 80-kilometer stretch has been affected by landslides at various locations. The roadway has been washed out and works are on to clear the landslides from both sides.  It has been planned to clear the way to facilitate vehicles to enter Kathmandu from Bardibas via the Dolalghat route.   

The 13-kilometer section at Ghapeli-Baguwa of Kanti Highway has been affected. Similarly, the left-right approach to the Bagmati Bridge has been disturbed. The Minister assures of the temporary repair of the bridge as much as possible to regularize the vehicular movement. 

Along the Mechi highway, activities to remove landslide debris of Ramitedanda of eight kilometer of Ramite Phidim are underway. Vehicular movement would be operated by constructing temporary diversion at Hewa khola.

Similarly, 17-meter long Bailey bridge would be constructed at Liping along Araniko highway as well as 45-meter long Bailey bridge at Larcha along Araniko highway, 50-meter long bailey bridge at Sunkoshi Khairenitar along BP highway are to be installed.

Likewise, necessary efforts have been started to install 50-meter Bailey bridge Sunkoshi-Khurkot section. Flood has swept away 110-meter long bridge at Sunkoshi Phoksingtar along Sagarmatha highway and the ministry has started necessary initiatives to construct the bridge.  

A 15-meter long Bagmati bridge along Kanti highway was washed away by flood and preparation was underway to bring the bridge into operation by constructing approach road.  

Similarly, 35-meter long bridge at Ratekhola of Ilam was swept away and necessary initiatives were underway for the construction of bridge there.  

The Ministry has clarified that the federal government has made effective coordination with province and local levels for repair and maintenance of damaged roads. 

In today's meeting of the Infrastructures Development Committee under the House of Representatives, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Devendra Dahal, shared that the Ministry and Transport Management Division have taken various initiatives to manage and resume transport service by holding discussion with different sides as landslide and flood have caused have damaged highways and bridges. 

Minister Dahal further said a letter has been sent to Home Ministry with a request to immediately rescue and provide relief materials to passengers and transport workers stranded due to disaster. (RSS)