Tamghas-Chhaldi section of Madan Bhandari Highway in sorry state

BY TILACHAN PANDEY,Gulmi, July 22: The deteriorating condition of the Madan Bhandari Highway, particularly along the Tamghas-Chhaldi section, has significantly increased the risk of road accidents, with potholes and water-filled depressions causing inconveniences to daily commuters.

Travelers claim that potholes have formed right on the highway's curves, heightening the danger of accidents. The roadside drains are clogged with grass and soil, causing water to accumulate on the road surface, further worsening the situation. Despite these issues, authorities appear to have shown little concern about immediate road maintenance, according to locals.

The Tamghas-Simaltari stretch, which was blacktopped about six years ago, is now falling into disrepair. Due to the lack of timely handover and regular maintenance, the road has rapidly deteriorated. Drivers complain that sections of the once-paved road have started to break down, causing inconvenience and risk.

"Driving on this road at night is extremely risky," said Lokendra Khatri, a driver who frequently uses the route. "It’s unfortunate that no maintenance work has been done even after all these years."

Auto driver Keshav Kunwar mentioned similar concerns. He said that small vehicles were increasingly struggling to navigate the damaged road. "Larger vehicles dominate the winding curves of the highway, putting us in danger," he said.

The 29-kilometre blacktopped stretch of the highway, whose construction began in 2014 and was completed in 2019, connects many areas within Gulmi constituency-2 and provides road access to neighbouring districts like Baglung and Pyuthan. The highway was constructed at a cost of approximately Rs. 1 billion.

However, the road is now crumbling in many places due to discarded soil from ongoing feeder road expansions, especially around Chhaldi, and due to a lack of drainage maintenance.

Locals and stakeholders have criticised the Madan Bhandari Highway Project Office in Tamghas, Gulmi, for failing to even carry out basic repairs. In response, Information Officer and Engineer Humanath Paudel said a contract has been awarded to fill the potholes.

“Due to delays in budget allocation, the contract was finalised only recently,” said Paudel. “As a result, work could not begin during the monsoon season. Repairs from Tamghas to Simaltari will commence as soon as the rainy season ends.”