Kathmandu, September 22
The Department of Roads is working to resume traffic along the flood-damaged Galchhi-Syabrubesi road section within the month of Ashoj, ahead of Dashain.
According to the department, traffic has already resumed at most locations after road repairs. Director General Dr Bijay Jaisi said work was underway to restore traffic along the entire Galchhi-Syabrubesi section by Dashain.
Temporary repairs have been completed at Kolpu Khola, connecting Dhading and Nuwakot, and traffic has resumed. The department has also completed the contract process for permanent repairs, and the contractor has started work.
At Ratomate, around 200 metres of road damaged by the flood has been reopened after back-cutting. In Nuwakot’s Devighat, the Nepal Army has installed a Bailey bridge, allowing traffic to operate from Galchhi to Bidur.
Of the approximately 10-km Bidur-Betravati section, nine kilometres have been reopened. Around 300 metres remains blocked by a landslide, where the Nepal Army has started blasting from both sides to open a track. Traffic is expected to resume there within a few days.
After that, Bailey bridges will need to be installed at Betravati and Syabrubesi. A 72-metre Bailey bridge will be installed at Betravati, while a 76-metre bridge is planned for Syabrubesi.
The road from Betravati through Dhunche to Syabrubesi is otherwise accessible. The approximately 15-km Syabrubesi-Rasuwagadhi section, however, has been severely affected by the flood, and a survey has begun.
—RSS
