Everest, Kathmandu, Oct.6- Following the recent monsoon-induced disasters, repair work is underway on the Beni-Jomsom-Korla section of the Kaligandaki Corridor, which connects China and India and was severely damaged by floods and landslides.

The 202-kilometer Beni-Jomsom-Korla road, which links Pang in Kusma Municipality-1 of Parbat to the Korla border with China, was blocked in over 50 places due to floods and landslides after the second week of Ashwin. In ten locations, the Kaligandaki River has eroded and destroyed the road.

Tejaswi Sharma, head of the Beni-Jomsom-Korla Road Project, stated that repair work is progressing rapidly on the approximately 12-kilometer stretch from Kunauta in Raghuganga Rural Municipality-2 to the center of Annapurna Rural Municipality in Pokharebagar, with the aim of reopening it for vehicles by next Monday.

“As soon as the rains stopped on Ashwin 12, we repaired the road from Korla towards Bhurung-Tatopani in Myagdi within two days,” he said. “The approximately 25-kilometer road from Maldhunga to Beni Baisari via Kunauta was completed by Monday evening.”

In Kunauta, the Kaligandaki River has eroded about 250 meters of the road, making even pedestrian movement difficult. The area is considered challenging for repair work. Initially, there was a challenge in creating an alternative route in the premises of the Rahughat Hydropower Project’s powerhouse in Tilkenichaur, Raghuganga Rural Municipality-3, and managing fuel shortages.

The project reported that the road in front of the Rahughat powerhouse has been cleared, and with the help of the Nepal Army, volunteers, and drones, transportation and fuel management have been resolved without any issues.

“Since it was not possible for people to carry fuel beyond Kunauta for road repairs, we used a Nepal Army team and drones to transport fuel over the landslide area,” said project head Sharma. “After six flights, 400 liters of diesel were transported across the eroded area, facilitating road repairs beyond Kunauta.”

New tracks are being opened in Pokharebagar and Ratopani of Annapurna, with work ongoing in the Mahabhir and Bhirkate sections. In Ratopani, Annapurna Rural Municipality-6, a new track has been opened in a place where about 250 meters of road were eroded in two locations. Workers have been deployed for the construction of the approach road to the Kaligandaki Bridge in Pokharebagar.

Narendra Subedi, head of the Federal Road Supervision Project in Pokhara, stated that 15 excavators, 12 tippers, and 15 loaders, along with manpower from the Department of Roads and construction companies, have been mobilized to expedite the road construction work.

“The Department of Roads and construction companies are working in parallel at all locations to reopen the blocked roads,” he said. “The goal is to complete the road repairs within this week.” He noted that with the Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani checkpoints closed, the Korla checkpoint has become crucial for trade with China. The government is prioritizing the swift operation of the road connecting to the Korla checkpoint.

The season for sending apples to market from Mustang has also begun. The time for bringing sheep and goats to market for Dashain-Tihar is approaching. With the tourist season starting, there is increased pressure to quickly reopen the Beni-Jomsom road.