MUSTANG: The Beni-Jomsom-Korala Road Project under the Kaligandaki Corridor has begun upgrading the 9-kilometer Jomsom-Kagbeni road section, which serves as a key route linking the north and south through Korala.

The upgrading work is being carried out under an annual contract worth around Rs 70 million.

The Jomsom-Korala road under the National Pride Korala Road Project had been completed before 2019. However, the blacktopped Jomsom-Kagbeni section later suffered damage due to rainfall, landslides, and the lack of protective infrastructures such as drains and retaining walls. According to the project office, parts of the road subsided during last August, causing structural damage in several locations.

Project Chief Tejaswi Sharma said the upgrading work has officially started after signing a contract for the improvement and long-term protection of the road connecting Muktinath and the Korala border point. She said the project aims to make the route more sustainable and safer for transportation.

Kalimata-Thapakaji-Rasuwa JV Construction has been awarded the contract for the upgrading work. Field in-charge Sitaram Thapa said the work, which began in the first week of Jestha, must be completed within four months by August 31. Construction activities have already started from Kagbeni.

The project includes the construction of 1,800 cubic meters of gabion walls, 3,500 cubic meters of masonry walls, 200 cubic meters of plum concrete, and 900 cubic meters of RCC pavement along the nine-kilometer stretch. Gabion walls will be built in damaged sections above Jomsom to prevent further road subsidence caused by rainfall.

RCC pavement will also be laid near the northern side of the Pandakhola bridge, while drains and masonry walls will be added in areas lacking proper road protection infrastructure.