Ilam. The Ilam-Rajduwali section of the Mechi Highway has been completely obstructed.
Incessant rains and landslides have cut off the district from other parts of the district and the Tarai and have turned into ‘islands’.
The Rajduwali landslide has taken a severe form since mid-July due to the delay in the construction and upgrading of the road and continuous rainfall since February this year.
Millions of people in Ilam, Panchthar and Taplejung as well as Mechi hills have been directly affected due to the closure of the highway.
Land sinking continuously, minister’s directive limited to paper
The landslide continues in the Rajduwali area. Large and small vehicles are not able to ply as landslides and accumulate mud even during normal rainfall.
Though efforts are being made to find a permanent solution to the road section, it has not been completed on time due to dillydallying on part of the contractors.
Earlier, Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal had inspected the damaged road sections and directed the subordinate bodies to resume transport services during the rainy season.
Social worker Ishwar Chipalu complained that the people have been facing problems as the road opening and repair works have not gained momentum even after the minister’s directive.
The condition of other rural and corridor roads, which could be used as an alternative route, is even worse due to the blockage.
The Mechi corridor, which is said to be an alternative route, has been blocked. Similarly, the Tilkeni-Simal Golai road has also come to a standstill. Vehicles were operated in the Mechi corridor by making diversions throughout the winter after the devastating floods in September last year. However, with the onset of monsoon, the flood in Puwa rivulet has washed away the diversion.
Although a bailey bridge has been installed in Belasi, the road has been closed due to lack of work on Puwakhola. Even if the bridge is constructed, there is no possibility of smooth transportation due to the muddy and dilapidated condition of the Belase-Bhanjyang road.
Last year’s flood had swept away the Bailey Bridge over Jogmai River along the Tilkeni-Simal Golai road. Since then, the local administration and the road division have constructed temporary diversions from time to time. There is a plan to reconnect the bailey bridge, but the installation work has not started until the end of the fiscal year.
However, the Road Division Office has said that although the Bailey Bridge will come to the river on the alternative road from the ministry, it is unaware when it will arrive and the Rajduwali section of the Mechi Highway could not be brought into operation immediately.
Goods vehicles heading towards Ilam district headquarters, Panchthar and Taplejung have come to a standstill due to the simultaneous disruption of alternative roads. Krishna Poudel, president of Ilam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that vehicles carrying essential goods such as foodstuffs, vegetables, LP gas and medicines from Tarai have been stranded in the area below Rajduwali.
Poudel said that there might be a shortage of daily essentials in the market if the road remains closed for a long time. Patients referred to Jhapa or Biratnagar for emergency treatment are the worst affected.
The lives of the patients are at risk as ambulances have not been able to ply due to road obstruction.
The local stakeholders have demanded the Roads Division, the provincial government and the federal government to immediately open the Mechi highway and work on alternative routes on a war footing.
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