GAMGADHI, Oct 12: Delay in upgradation of the road section connecting Nagma – border of Jumla and Kalikot – and Gamgadhi of Mugu, has affected the vehicular movement along the road. Of the total 93 kilometers of the road section, only nine kilometers have been graveled till date.
In the first phase, a 19-kilometer stretch connecting Nagma and Acharya Lihi was supposed to be upgraded, but according to the Road Division Office of Jumla, only nine kilometers of the road section has been graveled so far. According to Shrawan Kumar Mahatara, chief of the road division office, Jumla, the delay in upgrading the road section by the construction company has put the vehicular movement at risk.
“The Division Office has sent letters to the company several times to expedite the work. Despite receiving letters from the Division Office, the construction company has not expedited upgrading the road section,” Mahatara said, adding the construction company will be blacklisted if the situation doesn't improve.
Chinese team starts upgradation work
On the one hand, the locals are happy with the upgradation of the road section, but on the other hand, people are facing difficulties in movement due to the delay by the construction company. As the road section is muddy and has potholes, movement has been tough, and public transports don't want to operate on the road.
Due to the poor road condition, tourists and people traveling to celebrate Dashain had to face a lot of difficulties in movement. According to the locals, it is hard for the vehicles to cover even three kilometers in the Sinja region.
Meanwhile, the graveled road in the section is also not as per the standards. According to Top Bahadur Budha, chief administrative officer at Hima Rural Municipality, passengers have been facing difficulties due to delay in upgradation by the contractor. “The contractor doesn't work on time. But, the government doesn't take action against such companies. Also, there has been negligence in upgradation by the construction company,” he added.
According to the Road Division Office, it has sent an excavator to pull the vehicles stuck on the road section, and to repair the potholes. The excavator has been working on the road section between Nagma and Mugu.
Hingdung Thok Hira Namita JV had got the contract to upgrade a 13-kilometer road stretch connecting Nagma and Bangki for Rs 790 million. The upgradation work is supposed to be completed after Dashain festival. Likewise, Thodung Construction Pvt Ltd had bagged the contract to work in the four kilometer road section connecting Bangki and Acharya Lihi. The company has already completed upgrading the road section.
The flow of domestic and international tourists has increased in recent times. But, the tourists say the movement has been difficult due to poor condition of roads. Karnali Province has identified 40 destinations for Visit Nepal Year 2020. Meanwhile, some destinations identified by the provincial government can be accessed only via the Nagma-Gamgadhi road section.
