Kathmandu, February 15
The Narayanghat-Muglin Road Project is conducting a geological study in various areas of the road in the wake of reports stating that some sections of the highway have caved in in the last few years.
According to project information officer Shiva Adhikari, the study is being conducted by Swiss company Iteko, which is monitoring 7-8 dangerous points on the 40 km-long road.
Adhikari stated that the company found that 17 kilo and 25 kilo were two of the most dangerous points and added that a new design was needed to reduce geological pressure on the areas.
The study found that some areas near 17 kilo have moved towards the Trishuli river. This section of the road was widened in 2003 using rock anchoring technology. However, just as the construction of the road was completed, a part of it started to cave in.
Experts believe that the road caved in due to poor rock anchoring. They have called this part of the road the most dangerous and have asked the project chiefs to prepare a new design.
The Swiss company will submit a detailed report along with some new designs for the road. Project chief Rohit Kumar Bisura says that road construction work will only start once the technical team submits its report. He also says that they will try to finish the work before the monsoon ends.
