Parbat road section to close for 20 days for blacktopping

Parbat: The Thulipokhari-Khaula section of the Dobilla-Silmi-Thulipokhari-Khaula-Karkineta road, which opened three decades ago, will be closed for 20 days.

Vehicle movement has been suspended for this period to facilitate blacktopping work. A meeting of stakeholders held at the District Administration Office decided to close the road from Baisakh 10 to 30.

Approximately three kilometers of this section are currently being blacktopped. While four-wheeled vehicles are prohibited, two-wheelers will be allowed to operate. The District Administration Office has urged the use of alternative routes, specifically the Bamra-Gairathok-Ratadanda via Bumi-Lampata-Gahatepokhara-Cyclechowk road.

The Infrastructure Development Office stated that work on drainage, road widening, gabion wall installation, and sub-base laying is currently underway on the Thulipokhari-Khaula section. According to office engineer Bigyan Poudel, the project began last year under a multi-year plan of the Gandaki Province government with a contract value of Rs 58 million.

Engineer Poudel informed that nearly three kilometers of the road will be blacktopped this year, with 250 meters to be paved with concrete. Pravin Gurung, an engineer for the construction company Debchuli-Kaliganga JV, stated that the road is being closed to traffic to ensure the blacktopping is completed on schedule without obstruction.

Parts of the road from Silmi to Thulipokhari had already been blacktopped. The Infrastructure Development Office noted that the remaining section will be completed with concrete and blacktopping. About four kilometers of road from Khaula to Karkineta remain to be blacktopped. Once completed, this road could serve as an alternative to the Mid-Hill Highway. Currently, some vehicles traveling toward Syangja, Palpa, and Butwal already use this route.

Jhalak Rimal, Ward Chairman of Kushma Municipality-12, Thulipokhari, mentioned that despite repeated requests for budget, sufficient funds were not allocated for the blacktopping. He added that they are committed to securing a budget in the upcoming fiscal year to complete the project.

Chief District Officer Laxmi Prasad Poudel has requested residents of the area to cooperate by using alternative routes to ensure the completion of the road, acknowledging that development work often brings temporary inconveniences. He has urged the construction contractor to complete all work within the 20-day timeframe.