KATHMANDU, April 11: Under the Mugling-Pokhara road expansion project, which is being constructed in two sections, east and west, the latest update provided by the project reports 55 percent physical progress in the eastern section and 19 percent in the western section so far.
Shyam Kumar Yadav, the head of the Eastern Section, said that the project spans from Myagdi, Jamune of Tanahun, marking the last point of the eastern section, and extends all the way to Damauli.
According to him, 28 km in one direction and 15 km in both directions have been black-topped in Abu Khaireni, Bandipur, Byas, and Myagdi of the district. He said that now priority is being given to the blacktopping and chopping of hills at necessary junctures.
Covering a distance of 41.7 km, the eastern section’s contract was awarded to China Communication Construction, amounting to Rs 6.21 billion. The initial deadline for this section was April 13, but due to construction suspensions amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government of Nepal is considering a six-month extension.
Meanwhile, in the western section, seven and a half km of the two-lane road has been paved. Engineer Narayan Paudel, overseeing the Western Section, emphasized the priority given to culvert and drain construction before the onset of the rainy season.
"Compared to the eastern section, we have not been able to achieve progress as expected due to the late start of work in the western section," he said.
The project has already stated that no blacktopping will be done before the rainy season in areas prone to landslides. Blacktopping is postponed beyond 500 meters from landslide sites, while other areas continue preparatory work.
Covering a distance from Jamune in the district to Setipul in Pokhara spanning 38.88 km, China's Anhui Kaiyuan Road & Bridge Company secured the contract for the western section at a cost of Rs 7.40 billion.
In the agreement, it is mentioned that the work of this section, which started in August 2021, should be completed by August 28, 2024.