Myagdi Road Upgrade Completed 16 Years After Initial Opening

Myagdi. The road in Baranja, Mangala Rural Municipality-3, has been upgraded 16 years after it was first opened. The Pakher-Aldanda section of the Pakher-Baranja road, which connects wards 3 and 4 of Mangala Rural Municipality to the district headquarters Beni Bazaar, has been upgraded.

The Gandaki Province government, through the Infrastructure Development Office in Myagdi, began the construction of the Pakher-Baranja-3 and 4 via Mahesh-Dhapung-Tarakhola road project in the fiscal year 2080-81, which included graveling and concrete paving over a 3.5-kilometer stretch.

Senior Divisional Engineer Dr. Mahendra Baniya, head of the office, stated that the project, contracted in Ashar 2081 for Rs 58.63 million, was completed within the scheduled timeframe. "The project, which had an 18-month contract period, has achieved its physical targets," he said, adding, "However, financial progress is lower because we have been unable to pay the contractor due to a budget shortage."

The road, which first opened in 2066 BS, has been widened to seven meters, with drainage and retaining walls constructed. A 550-meter section on curves and inclines has been paved with concrete, and the road grade and curves have been improved.

According to Milan Roka of Baranja Kharkatol, the previous narrow, unpaved road was risky due to poor grading and sharp curves. "Previously, it was difficult for jeeps, taxis, and tractors to pass, but now even ten-wheeled trucks can reach the village," he said. "The travel time from Baranja to Beni has been reduced from one hour to 30 minutes following the upgrade."

The issue of having to reverse vehicles on steep, narrow curves has been resolved. It has become easier to transport agricultural products like milk, oranges, and vegetables from Baranja to the market. Roka noted that the need to travel via the winding, unpaved road connecting Baranja through Thamdanda-Surkemela to Beni has been eliminated.

Mohanlal Sapkota, the former chairman of the road construction committee, said the residents of Baranja are enthusiastic about the upgrade. "We are happy that the difficult sections of the road are now accessible," he said. "It would be even better if the entire 11-kilometer stretch from Pakher to Jhankripani could be upgraded."

Baranja is a densely populated former VDC in Myagdi. Gandaki Provincial Assembly member Resham Bahadur Jugjali, elected from Myagdi 1 (B), stated that priority was given to upgrading this strategically important road, which is used by residents of Mangala Rural Municipality wards 3, 4, and 5, as well as those from Tarakhola Rural Municipality in Baglung.

Contractor Jeevan Rokaya, whose project was allocated a budget of Rs 13.9 million for the current fiscal year, stated that he is still owed Rs 8 million. He expressed concern over the difficulty in paying material suppliers and laborers.