Elections in Myagdi: Candidates Push for Alternative Road Linking Dhorpatan to East Rukum

Myagdi. Candidates in the upcoming House of Representatives election have put forward the issue of constructing an alternative road connecting the western region of Myagdi via Dhorpatan to East Rukum.

The Rahughat-Myagdi Ring Road Project, which encompasses five local levels spanning from Beni to Darbang via Ghatan-Patlekhet-Jhin-Pakhapani-Thadakhani-KuineMangale-Kuinemangale-Marang-Bim, is also a priority infrastructure issue for the candidates.

Political parties, having fulfilled their last three electoral commitments to upgrade the road connecting the district headquarters Beni to the northern areas of Raghuganga and Annapurna Rural Municipalities leading to the Kora La border in Mustang, have made the overall development of Rahughat and the Myagdi Corridor, including the Rahughat-Myagdi Ring Road and the alternative route via Dhorpatan to East Rukum, an electoral issue.

Arjun Thapa, a candidate from the Nepal Communist Party, stated that if the alternative road connecting to East Rukum via Dhorpatan through Myagdi is built, it would be 65 to 70 kilometers shorter compared to the Baglung section of the Mid-Hill Highway, which could bring transformation in tourism, social, and economic sectors.

Karna Bahadur Bhandari, a candidate from the Nepali Congress, mentioned that since Myagdi is already benefiting from the smooth Beni-Jomsom-Kora La road, which sees over eight lakh tourists annually traveling to Mustang via Myagdi, facilitating infrastructure in the western and Rahughat regions through road construction would help stop migration, create employment, and boost income generation.

Harikrishna Shrestha, a candidate from the CPN (UML), noted that infrastructure development is the main basis for progress and emphasized prioritizing strategic road projects based on public demand and local needs.

This road, which reaches Dhorpatan from Beni at a distance of 75 kilometers, is considered a crucial foundation for the overall infrastructure, economic, and social transformation of West Myagdi, not just Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality.

The distance of the currently used road connecting Baglung to Dhorpatan is 126 kilometers. The route of approximately 64 kilometers from Beni via Muna-Khoriya-Marenni to Jaljala was opened this year, a road whose construction started in Myagdi in BS 2055.

Only eight kilometers of road remain to connect Taksera in East Rukum to Nisildhor in Dhorpatan. Subin Shrestha, President of the Myagdi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that upgrading the Muna (Dhorpatan section) and opening the Dhorpatan-East Rukum route is a common issue for Myagdi, as this road is shorter for tourists and locals traveling to Jaljala, Dhorpatan, and North Ganga.

The Provincial Government has launched plans under two headings to upgrade the approximately 17-kilometer road connecting Takam to Muna from Darbang. Candidates have made the management of budget and implementation of plans for the upgrade and paving of this road, considered the lifeline of West Myagdi connecting to the Mid-Hill Highway alternative route and East Rukum, a common electoral issue.

Dhorpatan, spread over an area of 1,325 square meters across East Rukum, Myagdi, and Baglung districts, is Nepal's only hunting reserve. Dhorpatan, a destination for adventurous hunters worldwide, has recently become a favorite for Nepali tourists as well. This reserve offers opportunities not only for tourism but also biological, cultural, touristic, and religious advantages for Dhorpatan.