KATHMANDU: For the first time, a road in Mugu district is set to be black-topped. The Talcha-Gamgadhi section under the Nagma-Gamgadhi-Lakcha Lagna Road Project will soon enter the tender phase.
The Karnali Province Planning Commission has approved a multi-year contract for blacktopping the Talcha-Gamgadhi road. The approval was granted based on source assurance provided by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Planning. A total budget of Rs 159.938 million has been secured for the project.
Out of the total allocation, Rs 40 million has been set aside for the current fiscal year. Similarly, Rs 70 million will be allocated in FY 2026/27 and Rs 49.9 million in FY 2027/28.
This marks the first time any road within Mugu district will be blacktopped. Although Mugu was connected to the national road network 13 years ago, the district still relies mainly on earthen and gravel roads.
According to Manmohan Singh Khadka, Information Officer at the Infrastructure Development Office, Mugu, preparations are underway to invite tenders for the Talcha-Gamgadhi section. Survey works have been completed, and cost estimation is currently in progress. The tender notice is expected to be published within two weeks.
Officials aim to complete the procurement process and begin construction within the current fiscal year. The Talcha-Gamgadhi road section is approximately 9 km long. However, the secured budget will cover blacktopping only about 3 km of the stretch, based on current estimates.
As per the Detailed Project Report (DPR), the road will be 7 meters wide (excluding drains) once black-topped.
The upgrade is expected to ease travel between Gamgadhi, the district headquarters, and Talcha Airport, providing significant relief to local residents.
Meanwhile, the Department of Roads is constructing the larger Nagma-Gamgadhi-Lakcha Lagna corridor under the North-South and Trade Route Expansion Program. The 188 km road project began after a detailed survey in FY 2005/2006, with construction formally starting in FY 2015/16. So far, the track has been opened on 110 km. Progress has been slow due to challenging terrain and budget constraints.
