Study underway to expand Mugling-Malekhu road

By Shaligram Nepal,Chitwan, Dec. 19: The expansion work on the Krishnabhir section of the Mugling-Malekhu road will proceed only based on the report of a technical study team.

Landslides that occurred 24 years ago had caused significant problems at Krishnabhir. 

As landslide risks have recently resurfaced, a detailed study will determine how much of the hill needs to be cut, according to Sachendra Mishra, Information Officer of the Nagdhunga-Mugling Road Project (West Section).

A landslide occurred in August 2000 left the area inaccessible for weeks, necessitating the construction of a new road in a different location.

With recent landslides reoccurring at the same spot, a decision on hill excavation will be made only after the study report, expected in two months, is submitted, Mishra said. 

Natural methods have been employed to mitigate landslides temporarily. “Without proper study, excavating the hill could create problems, so we are waiting for the report,” he added.

Delays in expanding road in challenging terrain 

Expansion work on the Nagdhunga-Mugling road section of the Prithvi Highway is facing delays in certain locations of western areas due to large hills.

Locations such as Fishling, Kurintar, Mugling, and Malekhu, which have settlements, do not face significant obstacles for road expansion. 

However, progress has been slow in areas with large hills and challenging terrain, according to Mishra. 

Work was halted during the monsoon. While minor works were completed during these months, major expansion activities resumed only from mid-October, according to the project office.

Since mid-October, the expansion work has progressed. The 40-kilometre Mugling-Malekhu stretch is being overseen by the Nagdhunga-Mugling Road Project (West Section), which is also managing the construction of six major bridges.

Pillars for all six bridges have been erected. The road will be widened to a dedicated double lane, similar to the Muglin-Narayangadh road. 

In market areas, a four-lane road would be constructed. Narrow sections would be widened to a minimum of nine metres. Obstacles on both sides are being removed to ensure smooth expansion, Mishra explained.

Progress update Seventeen per cent of the construction work has been completed so far. 

The western section covers 17 kilometres in Chitwan and 22 kilometres in Dhading. 

In toal, 95 kilometres of the Nagdhunga-Mugling road is undergoing upgrade, with 40 kilometres under the jurisdiction of the western section. The remaining stretch is managed by the Dhading office.

The road expansion and upgrading contract for the western section have been awarded to Sharma JICG JV at a cost of Rs. 4.8 billion. 

The same company is responsible for building new bridges over the Gomati, Charoudi, Khatauti, Hugdi, Mauwa, and Barbhang rivers. 

Ten overhead bridges will also be constructed in areas such as Malekhu, Sital Bazaar, Benighat, Bishaltar, Majhimtar, Fishling, Kurintar, Lewatar, Ramailo Danda, and Mugling.

To avoid landslide issues experienced during road expansion on the Mugling-Narayangadh stretch, priority is being given to widening the road towards the Trishuli River by constructing retaining walls, the project office informed.