Government Team Inspects Kodari Highway Landslide Site

Sindhupalchok. A high-level government team has conducted an on-site inspection in an effort to clear the Kodari Highway, which has been blocked for the past 11 days. On Saturday, a team including Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sobita Gautam observed the landslide-affected areas in the Daklang and Kodari eco-zones within Bhote Koshi Rural Municipality of Sindhupalchok. During this inspection, aimed at clearing the highway and mitigating risks to local settlements, local residents expressed their disagreement with proceeding with the work until the safety of their homeland and homes is guaranteed. Angered by the landslides that have put settlements at risk, Minister Lamsal assured the locals that the government would take full responsibility for relocating settlements and protecting physical property. However, the locals have not yet expressed full confidence in the government's assurance. 'There are no problems,' said Minister Lamsal, 'We are very positive and we will work on it.' According to the Director General of the Department of Roads, Dr. Bijay Jeshi, work is underway on the first of three large landslides in the Daklang area. He clarified that there have been procedural delays in managing the second and third landslides. Director General Jeshi stated that an expert team has already been deployed to address the locals' concerns and that technology will be used to safely drain groundwater through pipes. He urged the locals to appoint two representatives each from Daklang and Kodari to coordinate with the locals, and pledged that work would only proceed by prioritizing expert advice and citizen safety. 'A very strong and reliable design has been prepared with the involvement of the Chinese side,' said Director General Jeshi. 'The contract has already been signed to resolve the landslide in the Kodari area permanently at a cost of over 1.5 billion rupees, by driving piles from the riverbed and constructing walls.' The inspection team included National Planning Commission member Arjun Jung Thapa, Infrastructure Secretary Gopal Sigdel, Chief District Officer of Sindhupalchok, heads of security agencies, and engineers from the Department of Roads. The government is emphasizing bringing the Kodari Highway, which is also an international trade route, into operation as soon as possible. However, due to local obstruction and geographical complexities, it is still uncertain when the highway will be fully opened.