Dolpa's Dunai now connected to national road network

Published On: October 5, 2018 02:00 AM NPT By: BISHNU PRASAD DEVKOTA

DOLPA, Oct 5: Happiness knows no bounds for an elderly, Deepa Budha of Tripurasundari Municipality-9, Dolpa. In her twilight years, she has one of her long-cherished dreams fulfilled.“I had hoped but never imagined that I'd live to see my birthplace connected to the road network,” said Budha, now, 66.

“Now the road is right at my doorstep!”A track has been opened along the Tarpare cliff under the Jajarkot-Dolpa road section, which now connects Dolpa's headquarters Dunai to the national road network. The final phase of the construction at Tarpar cliff was very difficult as the contractor Nepal Army (NA) had to break through around 500 meters of hard rocks in Tripurasundari-9 by overcoming many obstacles. With this, consignment trucks and tractors can operate on the road section.

Locals of Dhaune and Fulpani of the municipality celebrated the track opening by singing and dancing on the road. They also performed pooja during the opening and gave a warm welcome to NA personnel with garlands and flowers. Without access to the road network, locals of Dolpa had long been struggling in various fronts, both economically and socially. The road is expected to bring a huge respite to the struggling life of the district. The construction of the road had begun a decade ago.

According to Jajarkot-Dolpa Motorway Construction Taskforce of the NA, the Jajarkot-Dolpa road stretches a total of 117.7 kilometers and connects Dolpa's Dunai to Palsagadh of Jajarkot. It is the first phase of the Bheri Corridor Project.NA had intensified the construction work intending to finish the work before the upcoming Dashain festival. They worked hard to complete the objective so that the road would be taken as their 'Dashain gift' to the locals.

“We are currently working on the finishing aspects of Khadang to Chungadh. After completing the work, vehicles will be able to operate from Dunai to other parts of the country,” said Colonel Bishwabandhu Pahadi, chief of the NA taskforce.