Saljhandi-Dhorpatan Road Remains Campaign Issue Amid Poor Condition and Delayed Upgrades

Baglung. The Saljhandi–Dhorpatan road becomes an agenda item during every election. As the election date nears this time too, candidates are reaching voters' doorsteps carrying the agenda of constructing this road. The road, whose track was opened in 2071 BS to connect the hills and the Terai, is in a dilapidated state. Although some minor work has been done on this section of the road falling in Baglung Constituency No. 2, the condition in most places is miserable.

Locals along the roadside are fed up with the dust in winter and mud during the monsoon. While normal vehicles can ply on the section from Rajkut in Nisikhola Rural Municipality-7 to Gangare, which borders Gulmi and Pyuthan, the Burtibang–Dhorpatan section sees a high volume of domestic and international tourists. Political parties make this very section their election agenda. The approximately 35-kilometer road to Dhorpatan is narrow and difficult, causing hardship for locals as well as tourists.

A major road connecting Nepal's only hunting reserve, Dhorpatan, is mocking the political leadership due to its long-term lack of upgrading. The first section, about 22 kilometers from Burtibang to Phalleghat, which has high passenger traffic, was awarded to Swachhanda/Ombuddha JV Kathmandu four years ago for gravelling. Although it was supposed to be completed by Baishakh 2080, only 65 percent of the work has been finished so far. The agreement was signed on Kartik 5, 2078, with a deadline of 30 months.

The construction company is currently working after receiving a third extension. That extension is valid until Jestha 2083. Examination Paudel, Information Officer for the Saljhandi–Dhorpatan Road Project, informed that the upgradation of this section is being done at a cost of 25 crore 61 lakh 31 thousand 166 rupees.

She further informed that an agreement was made with 'PTR Adhikari Construction' for paving three kilometers from Phalleghat to Deurali for 16 crore 48 lakh rupees. She stated that work like widening the road and constructing drains is currently underway, and only 12 percent of the work, which should be completed by Ashar 2084, has been accomplished so far. This road, which started from Saljhandi in Rupandehi in 2068 BS, connects to Dhorpatan via Sandhikharka in Arghakhanchi, Gulmi, and Palpa.

While work is progressing rapidly in Rupandehi, Arghakhanchi, Palpa, and Gulmi districts, the work on the Baglung section has not met expectations. The track connecting Burtibang to Dhorpatan was opened in 2071 BS. The 61-kilometer road from Gangare in Badigad to Dhorpatan falls in Baglung. The total length from Saljhandi to Dhorpatan is 197 kilometers. It connects Dhorpatan via Gangare in Badigad Rural Municipality-10, Rajkut in Nisikhola Rural Municipality-7, Ward No. 1 Devsthan, and Burtibang.

Man Bahadur Bik of Dhorpatan states that leaders have taken this road as their main agenda in four elections, including the by-election held in 2076 BS, since the road was established. He mentioned that candidates who come seeking votes during elections always make incomplete promises, and this time people should be careful when casting their votes.

Bik says, “Initially, we thought things would get easier after this road was built, that the leaders would get the work done. Leaders who sought votes saying they would build this road have gone everywhere, but the condition remains the same. This time too, they came saying, 'Elect us, and we will build it.' We no longer believe what they say.”

Local Tulasa Gharti Magar says that thousands of citizens in the Dhorpatan area suffer due to the poor condition of the road. She states that many locals in this area, who practice seasonal migration between Dhorpatan and Bobang, face hardship while transporting goods and traveling. Magar mentioned that the people of this area are suffering because leaders talk more than they work.

“It has been ten years since this road opened, and it still hasn't become smooth for vehicles to drive on. Many people have lost their lives due to accidents caused by the narrow road. How many more will lose their lives?, ” she says, “If the right leadership had been in place, the work would have been completed by now. The contractor is doing some work now.”

Tourists Suffer Due to Poor Road Condition

Recently, the number of tourists visiting Dhorpatan Valley, as well as Bukipatan and Jaljala, has increased. Although the number of domestic and international tourists visiting Dhorpatan increases every year, the road condition has not improved, leading to situations where they get stranded midway. Some tourists turn back midway because the road is difficult. During the monsoon, the Dhorpatan area becomes lush green.

There is no alternative road for thousands of tourists who come to enjoy the colorful flowers blooming in the vast valley and those heading to Bukipatan. They are forced to use the same narrow and difficult road. Tourists start facing hardship as soon as they ascend from Burtibang Bazaar, the gateway to Dhorpatan. Due to the poor condition of the road, tourists who visit Dhorpatan once are hesitant to return a second time.

Jeevan Pun, Chairman of the Dhorpatan Valley Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, says that tourists suffer because of the Burtibang–Dhorpatan road. He recounts that during the monsoon season, many tourists are forced to return midway without reaching Dhorpatan because their vehicles break down on the road. “After extensive promotion of the Dhorpatan, Bukipatan, and Jaljala areas, the number of tourists coming from home and abroad has increased. Many who come here complain about the road,” he says. “Many have their vehicles break down midway and return without ascending to Dhorpatan. We cannot do anything about it. We keep informing the concerned authorities. We now have hope that it will be done.”