Tatopani: The road from Tatopani in Myagdi to Ghansa in Mustang has been successfully upgraded as part of the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road project. The Beni-Jomsom-Korala road, which runs through the Kaligandaki river corridor, is recognized as a national pride project due to its strategic importance in connecting China and India.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the project to widen and enhance the road from Nagdhunga of Bhurung-Tatopani in Annapurna Rural Municipality-2, Myagdi, to the Kaikhukhola section in Thasang Rural Municipality-4, Mustang, began in the fiscal year 2073/74. The plan included widening the road to 11 meters and converting it into a two-lane paved and asphalted road.
Sharma-Gajurmukhi JV has completed the paving and concreting work on the 16.5-kilometer Tatopani-Ghansa section. The project, contracted for Rs 630 million, includes a ‘variation order’ for completion, excluding 3.3 kilometers of road affected by landslides.
Project Manager Narendra Neupane reported that 2.5 kilometers of concrete and 10.7 kilometers of blacktop using DBSD technology have been finalized. The project faced a delay of five years beyond the initial target due to challenging geography, the coronavirus pandemic, floods, landslides, and a shortage of construction materials. The upgraded road is currently in the process of being formally handed over to the Road Project Office.
Efforts are ongoing to address landslide-affected areas in Guinthe, Khambhitta, Duwarikhola, Latokhola, Rupse, Ghoptebhir, and Thadokhola sections. In challenging areas like Kabhrebhir cliff, Badarjung, and Ghoptebhir cliff, the road has been expanded using ‘rock anchoring’ techniques to navigate the steep rock faces and narrow pathways.
The road has been asphalted in key areas including Nagdhunga, Jalthale, Guinthe, Sukebagar, Dana, Titar, Kabhre, and Ghansa. As a result, travel time has significantly decreased from two hours to just 30 minutes, as noted by Ramesh Purja, the ward chairman of Annapurna Rural Municipality-3.
The completion of this road upgrade has considerably facilitated travel for tourists, pilgrims, locals visiting Mustang, and cargo vehicles transporting goods through the Korala checkpoint.