Kathmandu, Oct 4: Recent natural disasters triggered by incessant rains have caused damages worth Rs 25 billion to road infrastructure. It is estimated that around Rs 3 billion will be required for the temporary restoration of damaged roads and bridges, while full reconstruction could cost between Rs 20-25 billion.
At a meeting of the Infrastructure Development Committee, House of Representatives today, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Devendra Dahal reported on the losses incurred due to flooding and landslides that occurred on September 27-28. He added that efforts are underway to restore disrupted roadways and highways temporarily.
The disasters affected 34 highways at 805 locations, with landslide debris cleared from 774 points so far. Traffic has resumed on 29 highways, and ongoing measures aim to reopen transport services at 31 locations across five major highways.
Minister Dahal stated that in some areas, merely removing landslide debris is insufficient to reopen the service; support walls, Hume pipes, and temporary Bailey bridges are also needed.
The Larcha-Kodari section of the Araniko Highway is particularly affected, with the Liping Bridge and the Larcha-based Bailey Bridge swept away by floodwaters. It has been planned to fix the problems temporarily by using Hume pipes, and penstock pipes, and constructing a makeshift bridge at Liping.
As the government said, it plans to take all available alternatives to restore the traffic temporarily.
At the Dolalghat-Rakdhum section of the Pushpa Lal (Mid Hill) Highway, an 80-kilometer stretch has been affected by landslides at various locations. The roadway has been washed out and works are on to clear the landslides from both sides. It has been planned to clear the way to facilitate vehicles to enter Kathmandu from Bardibas via the Dolalghat route.
The 13-kilometer section at Ghapeli-Baguwa of Kanti Highway has been affected. Similarly, the left-right approach to the Bagmati Bridge has been disturbed. The Minister assures of the temporary repair of the bridge as much as possible to regularize the vehicular movement.
Along the Mechi highway, activities to remove landslide debris of Ramitedanda of eight kilometer of Ramite Phidim are underway. Vehicular movement would be operated by constructing temporary diversion at Hewa khola.
– The Rising Nepal
