Landslide Prevention Works Begin on Key Section of Kaligandaki Corridor Road in Myagdi

Myagdi. Plans for landslide prevention have commenced on the Myagdi section of the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road, which connects China and India via the Kaligandaki Corridor.

The Beni-Jomsom-Korala Road Project Office has initiated plans costing NPR 250 million to prevent landslides and river erosion along the road. Regular traffic operations have been hampered due to landslides and erosion. Bahadur Shah, Sub-Engineer at the project office, stated that the construction companies awarded the contracts are mobilized with the goal of completing the work within the current fiscal year.

According to him, landslide and erosion prevention plans are underway in sections including Tatlo and Mathillo Baisari, Nagdhunga, Guithebhir, Khambhittha, Latokhola, Rupshe, Setokhola, and Larjung in Raghuganga Rural Municipality-2. Shah informed that landslide prevention is being carried out using techniques such as 'rock anchoring', 'retaining walls', 'bio-engineering', and 'thidimes'. Wamti-Konda-Tista JV has secured the contract worth NPR 70 million for landslide prevention across a 300-meter stretch in the Khambhittha area of Annapurna Rural Municipality-3 Dana.

GSPL-Buddhisara JV has signed a contract worth NPR 90 million for landslide prevention along a 300-meter stretch of road at Guithebhir in Annapurna-3. Gajendra Construction Service has won the contract worth NPR 70 million for landslide prevention works on the Latokhola, Rupshe, Nagdhunga, and Setokhola sections.

Paving (slabbing) has been completed for a 160-meter distance in the Rupshe section. At Latokhola, landslide prevention through 'rock anchoring' and widening work is in the final stages. GSI-Hutairaj JV has taken the contract worth NPR 20 million to prevent landslides at Tatlo and Mathillo Baisari. This involved drilling into the hillside below the road, inserting rods, concreting to form a base, and constructing a permanent wall to widen the road towards the embankment. Holes have been drilled for placing iron rods for 'rock anchoring'.

Currently, traffic operates one-way on the 3.5-meter wide road sections requiring 'rock anchoring'. These sections are being widened to seven to eight meters to allow two-way traffic. Structures using hume pipes are being built to manage water from drains, gullies, and the road.

Ramesh Purja, Ward Chairman of Annapurna Rural Municipality-3 Dana, expressed hope that once landslides are controlled, vehicle movement on the road will become smoother, and settlements and public structures at risk will be protected.