Mustang and Dolpa being linked to road networks

A representative image sourced from freepik.com

MYAGDI, OCTOBER 7: A 75-km stretch of road connecting Mustang in the Gandaki Province and Dolpa in the Karnali Province has been opened. This road is considered crucial for internal trade, tourism development, and improving convenience for locals in the mountainous districts of the two provinces.

Rinjin Namgyal Gurung, Chair of Varagung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality, stated that the project to open the road connecting Varagung Muktikshetra in Mustang and Charka Tangsong Rural Municipality in Dolpa under the federal government’s Manang-Mustang-Dolpa-Jumla road project is nearing completion.

So far, a 40 km stretch has been opened from Jomsom to Eklebhatti, Pakling, Falek, and Sangta, with an additional 35 km extending from Sangta to the Dolpa border via Yakkharka. However, 20 km of the road still requires upgrading, and four motorable bridges need to be constructed to ensure the regular and smooth flow of traffic along this route.

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management has allocated Rs 8.5 million in the current fiscal year for constructing a bailey bridge at Sukusamba on the Dolpa border. Chair Gurung also noted that a proposal has been submitted for the government to construct three additional bailey bridges or motorable bridges and upgrade the road in high-risk areas to facilitate regular transportation.

The government began constructing the Manang-Mustang-Dolpa-Mugu road project in the fiscal year 2075/76 BS. According to the Road Division Office in Baglung, 56.5 km of the road has been opened from Pakling with an investment of Rs 220 million. A road had already been constructed from Dolpa to the Mustang border, making it the shortest route to connect Dolpa with the federal capital, Kathmandu.

Tshering Pasang Gurung, a ward member and resident of Sangta, mentioned that the road’s construction has already attracted tourists to visit Sangta and Yakkharka.