Chitwan, September 6
A track opened above Krishnabhir along the Prithvi Highway to transport construction materials and equipment is being widened as preparations continue to reopen the road section blocked by a landslide.
The track was opened after trees and bushes were cleared from the upper section of the landslide site, allowing access for construction work.
According to Sachendra Mishra, an engineer with the western section of the Naubise-Muglin Road Project, a track about four metres wide has been opened in both directions along the top of the hill after continuous work above the landslide site. “Work has begun to widen the track that was opened yesterday,” he said.
Several tasks remain, including cutting the slope and roadside wall, widening and gravelling the road, adjusting the grade and managing the landslide according to the design. Mishra said it would still take some time before the road could be opened to public vehicles.
He said work was being expedited with the aim of making the road usable by public vehicles by the end of Bhadra. “An environment has now been created to proceed according to the design. There is no shortage of the technical equipment or manpower required for construction. The road will now be built according to the design, making it easier to carry out the work,” he said.
According to Mishra, the track currently being used is primarily for construction workers and the transportation of construction materials.
The new access track was opened by construction company Sharma-JIV JV. Site manager Engineer Ishwar Nepal said the track is about 20 metres above the main road and 350 metres long.
“After the track was opened, it has become easier to transport construction materials and fuel and for workers to travel to and from the site,” he said. “It is currently being used only for construction purposes. It is not a new road opened for the general public.”
According to Nepal, considerable work remains, including slope cutting, cutting the roadside wall, placing rocks and adjusting the road grade. He said the route had become passable on foot for the general public in emergencies.
He added that road construction would now proceed from both ends according to the approved design.
More heavy equipment was added to the site as of today. The number of excavators has been increased to seven with the addition of two more. One JCB, one loader and two bulldozers are also being used. Nepal said additional equipment would be deployed as required.
