Landslides damage track under Darchula-Tinkar roadway

By Narendra Singh Karki, Kathmandu - The 40-km track opened under the ongoing Darchula-Tinkar roadway has been damaged at several places with the landslides triggered by the rainfall. Consequently, people's movement along the track has been obstructed for one and half month. Landslides occurred at several places along the track stretching from Khalanga to Sunsera Tusarpani of Byas Rural municipality.

"At a time when the delayed construction of Darchula-Tinkar roadway has already hit hard the people, the damages on the newly opened track further hassled people from Duhu and Byas area," said Jay Dev Mahara of Duhu Rural Municipality-5. For now, it is difficult to resume road service in Hikila area. Mahara further said the track is so risky that people fear stone fall from the cliff. "It is risky to reach Khalanga from Byas," he shared the plight.

Meanwhile, Darchula-Tiknar road project has said efforts were on to resume the obstructed track. Project engineer Dines Raikhola said, "People have complained much of the shortage of food stuffs at Byas and Duhu. Construction of 20-meter support wall at Timurpata is imperative to repair the damaged road. Similarly, creation of gabion walls would be useful in other places," he added. He however said if the big machines are mobilized, the track could be resumed in two weeks, according to engineer.