Jomsom-Syang Khola road being blacktopped

By Hari Krishna Sharma,Muktinath, June 11: The blacktopping of the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road section under the Kali Gandaki Corridor, regarded as the lifeline of Gandaki Province connecting north to south, has picked up pace from district headquarters Jomsom to Syang Khola. 

As per the directive of the project, Pappu-Gauri-Parbati-Koshi and Neupane JV have expedited asphalt blacktopping work using asphalt technology on the five-kilometre stretch from Syang Khola in Gharapjhong Rural Municipality-3 towards Jomsom. 

According to Project Chief Dhurba Jha, of the total 17 kilometres from Khanti, the centre of Thasang Rural Municipality in Mustang, to Jomsom, blacktopping remains on the final stretch of five kilometres. 

Project Chief Jha said, “We have a stock of bitumen sufficient for blacktopping. The contractor has expressed commitment to completing the remaining work on time. “A contract worth Rs. 996.2 million was signed with Pappu-Gauri-Parbati-Koshi and Neupane JV in June/July 2016 for the road blacktopping. 

The project had issued a warning notice to blacklist the contractor after previous delays and disappearance from contact, but following Guari- Parbati’s initiative, the remaining work is now nearing completion, according to Project Chief Jha. 

Meanwhile, under the project, the 13 km Maldhunga-Beni section in Parbat district has achieved 61 per cent physical progress, including blacktopping, the Galeshwar-Tatopani section has reached 99 per cent and the Khanti-Jomsom section has achieved 90 per cent physical progress. 

Although the Galeshwar-Ghansa section in Myadgi faces challenges due to floods and landslides, the Mustang section remains relatively smooth. According to the project, overall physical progress, including roads, bridges and other infrastructure, stands at 85 per cent.