Kaligandaki corridor track incomplete even after a decade

BAGLUNG, July 18: The track opening of the much-touted Third Kaligandaki Corridor road project, which connects India and China, has remained incomplete even after a decade due to the government´s negligence to allocate sufficient budget, people associated with the project said.



The 415 Km long road, which is a national pride project, was supposed to have been completed in 20 years. However, it has not moved forward due to lack of progress in Gulmi and Baglung sections. [break]“Inadequate budget allocation and carelessness of government officers handling the project are the major reasons for delay in the track opening,” said Tika Ram Dhakal, one of the people who developed the project concept.



Local people have also expressed grave concerns after the government failed to open the track even after 10 years. “It is sad the project will be prolonged,” said locals who gathered to discuss the project status.



Till now the government has spent just Rs 1.35 billion, well short of its target of Rs 4.6 billion. The project, divided into 8 phases for construction, is estimated to cost more than Rs 22.35 billion. “Four phases of construction have been completed but the track opening has not finished,” Dhakal said.

 

"The government needs to inject ten time more funds than the current budget for the timely completion of the project,” Prakash Upadhaya, chief project engineer told Republica. “The government´s priority of the project´s is limited to just drawing boards and it will takes decades to complete the project at the current pace.”



It has been disappointment for people in the region who saw the project as way to reduce poverty and implement sustainable development.



According to project engineer Raju Ranabhat, 15 Km track opening in the Baglung-Gulmi section of the corridor has not even been attempted. “However, the track opening of 105 Km in the Korala-Jomsom section, 72 Km in the Jomsom-Beni section, 18 Km in the Beni-Baglung section, 80 Km in the Baglung-Ramdi section and 130 Km in the Ramdi-Gaidakot section have been completed.



The project when completed, will connect 231 VDC in 10 districts including Mustang, Myagdi, Baglung, Parbat, Gulmi, Syangja, Palpa, Tanahu and Nawalparasi. “62 bridges needs to be built to connect the road at different places,” Ranabhat said. “That will take additional time and expenses and will further delay the completion of project.”



The road project has high importance for trade with the two emerging economies of China and India. “This road project is also important for development of hydroelectricity,” Ranabhat said. “It creates access for development of 500 MW of hydroelectricity project.”

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