KATHMANDU: The opening of a new 75-kilometer road that connects Mustang in the Gandaki Province to Dolpa in the Karnali Province has greatly improved connection in this isolated area. This road is essential for local populations in these hilly locations to live more conveniently and for the growth of tourism and internal trade.
Rinjin Namgyal Gurung, the Chair of Varagung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality, stated that the work on the road connecting Varagung Muktikshetra in Mustang to Charka Tangsong Rural Municipality in Dolpa is nearing completion. This project falls under the Manang-Mustang-Dolpa-Jumla road initiative funded by the federal government.
The recently opened route is 40 kilometers long, going from Jomsom to Eklebhatti, Pakling, and Falek. It also goes an extra 35 kilometers from Sangta to the Yakkharka border, which is the Dolpa border. It is anticipated that easier access to these isolated places will be made possible by this vast road network.
However, 20 kilometers of the road still need to be upgraded, and four motorable bridges need to be built, in order for traffic to flow on this route smoothly and regularly. These improvements are necessary to guarantee that the route can accommodate the anticipated rise in traffic.
For the current fiscal year, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management has set aside Rs 8.5 million to build a Bailey bridge at Sukusamba, on the border with Dolpa. The government's dedication to enhancing the area's infrastructure is demonstrated by this investment.
A plan to build three more motorable bridges or bailey bridges, has been presented to the government, according to local leader Chai Gurung. To maintain dependable and safe transportation, it is also necessary to upgrade the roads in places that are considered dangerous.
In the fiscal year 2075–2076 BS, the government started building the road that connects Manang–Mustang in Gandaki Province to Dolpa–Mugu in Karnali Province. Improving connectivity between these areas has been the long-term objective of this project.
With an investment of Rs 220 million, a total of 56.5 kilometers of the road have been opened from Pakling, according to the Road Division Office in Baglung. The significance of this infrastructure project is highlighted by this large financial investment.
This new route is the quickest between Dolpa and Kathmandu, the federal capital, as a road had already been built from Dolpa to the Mustang border. It is anticipated that the new road will shorten travel times and improve accessibility to necessary services.
Tshering Pasang Gurung, a local ward member from Sangta, mentioned that the development of the road has already begun to draw tourists to the area. The general economy and local companies both stand to benefit from this inflow.
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