Baglung – The Balewa–Ridi section of the Kaligandaki Corridor in Baglung district, completed six months ahead of schedule in June, has faced constant blockages from landslides since the onset of the monsoon. Frequent slides at Binamare (Jaimini Municipality–5) and Baralbhan (near Kaligandaki Rural Municipality, Gulmi) have left the road impassable for vehicles.
On the under-construction Maldhunga–Balewa section, unplanned stone quarrying and material extraction have triggered further landslides, with a major slide at Kalakhola (Baglung Municipality–13) closing the road since Saturday. Locals blame the contractor, Bidari Construction, for prioritising the sale of excavated stone over timely completion of the Rs990 million project. Despite the deadline expiring, work remains incomplete.
Officials say blasting and quarrying at multiple sites—against the project design that required importing gravel from other locations—have destabilised slopes. Heavy rainfall has compounded the risk, and road clearance has stalled for over two days. Police have advised motorists to take alternative routes.
Additional slides at Eklesal have blocked another key road from Maldhunga to Kushmisera, while unreinforced slopes at Sahasradhara, Maldhunga and Nayapul on the Mid-Hill Highway face repeated blockages from falling gravel and boulders. A massive boulder near Maldhunga remains uncleared after two weeks, posing risks to night buses.
Transport operators and local leaders warn that flawed road designs, vertical slope cutting, and poor construction practices are endangering not only transport but also settlements above the roads. The District Coordination Committee has urged the contractor and project office to adopt sustainable, well-planned methods to prevent further damage.
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