Landslips in Rajduwali section of Mechi Highway worry Ilam people

BY KOKILA DHAKAL,Ilam, Jan. 23: General public and local stakeholders in Ilam, Panchthar and Taplejung districts are raising concerns about the poor condition of the Mechi Highway in Ilam Municipality-9.

A small section of the highway on the western slope above the Rajduwali Bridge of the Mai Khola has been destroyed by a landslide. As a result, the highway that connects the three districts with Jhapa is expected to be closed from mid-April. When it rains, the entire slope begins to slip towards the river.  

The issue is being discussed in various meetings, including assemblies, conferences and local government committees in Ilam. Ilam Municipality has even held meetings with journalists to address the deteriorating condition of the highway and explore alternative routes.

Ilam Municipality Mayor Kedar Thapa confirmed the expected closure of the Mechi Highway by April. "If alternatives are not found now, the lives of the people in three eastern hill districts will be severely disrupted. There is not enough funding to work on the so-called alternative roads," he said. “The fast track road connecting Ilam to Jhapa is still incomplete. There is also insufficient funding for the road from Godak Simal Golai to Tilkeni. We are drawing the attention of the Department of Roads and the central government."

Mayor Thapa emphasised that if arrangements were not made to operate traffic on both alternative roads, it would pose a major challenge. "Even now, heavy vehicles cannot pass through the deteriorated sections of the highway, and the municipality is forced to send machines to maintain traffic," he said. 

The alternative road from Simal Golai to Tilkeni requires a bridge over the Jogmai River. The Road Division Office in Ilam has presented a plan to install a Bailey bridge across the river in the area. Similarly, the fast-track road connecting Ilam to Jhapa also lacks a bridge over the Puwa Khola. 

Ilam Municipality Spokesperson Nutandev Dulal pointed out that if bridges were not built over the rivers, traffic would not be able to operate on the alternative routes during the rainy season.

Pressure is also building at the citizen level in Ilam, demanding the construction of alternative roads. Various study teams have indicated that repairing the damaged sections of the Mechi Highway is complicated due to the underground flow of water in the area.