Snow-covered Mustang road to be reopened for voters

By Harikrishna Sharma,Muktinath (Mustang), Feb. 24: Authorities have decided to clear snow from the Mustang-Dolpa road linking Sangta village in Ward No. 5 of Waragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality, Mustang district, within this week to make it easier for voters to return home ahead of the House of Representatives election.

The road section connecting Sangta -- one of the most remote settlements in the rural municipality -- has been blocked by thick snow, creating difficulties for voters to reach the polling centre.

In response, the Baglung Road Division Office and the rural municipality have decided to deploy a dozer to clear the snow, Chief District Officer Ajita Sharma said.

“We will break and remove the accumulated snow to make the road passable. Repairs will be carried out this week so that voters who are currently outside the village can return,” Sharma said.

Following a decision by the District Security Committee, machinery will be mobilised from Monday by the Baglung Road Division Office and Waragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality to clear the snow-covered stretch.

Many villagers who had moved to lower areas to escape the cold have been unable to return due to heavy snowfall. After the ward office proposed relocating the polling centre, a field visit was carried out under the leadership of CDO Sharma. 

The team included Deputy Superintendent of Police Chhiring Kripa Lama, Lieutenant Colonel Gaurav Dhwaj Khan Thakuri of the Indrabaksha Battalion, Armed Police Force Nepal Deputy Superintendent Bheshraj Giri and National Investigation Department chief Bishnu Hari Pandit.

However, the team was forced to return from Yakkhark due to heavy snowfall. Around two feet of snow has accumulated on the road, making further travel impossible.

Situated at an altitude of about 3,800 metres above sea level, Sangta village lies roughly 40 km from the district headquarters, Jomsom. 

The District Security Committee has also placed Sangta, along with Upper Mustang, on the list of areas where helicopters may be used to transport ballot boxes during the election.

According to District Election Officer Lokendra Gyawali, voter education programmes are being run by local volunteers for residents staying in nearby settlements such as Dhakarjung and Pakling, as well as for those who have travelled to Pokhara, Kathmandu and other parts of the country.

Sangta village has 13 households and 39 voters registered at the Himalayan Basic School polling centre. 

Mustang, which forms a single House of Representatives constituency, has 39 polling centres across Thasang Rural Municipality, 

Gharapjhong Rural Municipality, Waragung Muktikshetra, Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality and Lomanthang Rural Municipality, with a total of 11,328 voters.