KATHMANDU: The Department of Roads has allocated Rs 32.5 million to repair roads damaged by the Bhotekoshi flood on 26 August. The budget has been allocated to restore the Galchhi-Betrawati-Rasuwagadhi and Prithvi Highway sections.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Department of Roads Director General Bijay Jaisi said the Galchhi-Betrawati-Rasuwagadhi road and the Galchhi-Muglin section of the Prithvi Highway suffered the most damage from the floods and landslides.
According to Jaisi, 40km of the 56km road between Bidur and Rasuwagadhi in Nuwakot has been completely washed away.
The Prithvi Highway has also suffered major damage at Krishnabhir and Parewabhir, where the river has eroded the road.
“We are working to repair the damaged roads and bring them back into operation as soon as possible,” Jaisi said.
The flood has damaged 31 motorable bridges across Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading. The department has started the process of installing Bailey bridges at Devighat, Trishuli Bazaar and Betrawati.
A 50-metre Bailey bridge is being planned over the Tadi River at Devighat. Designs for Bailey bridges at Trishuli Bazaar and Betrawati have also been completed.
Technical surveys are underway to assess the condition of other damaged bridges.
Meanwhile, an alternative 110km route from Kathmandu to Dhunche has been opened through Tokha-Chhahare-Bidur-Bogatitaar.
After the bridge over Furke Khola connecting Dhadingbesi was damaged, road access has been restored through an alternative route via Maltar, Gajuritar and Kewarinighat.
The department is also studying options to reopen the damaged section at Krishnabhir. Officials are consulting experts from the Nepal Geotechnical Society on whether to cut into the hillside or develop a new track on the other side of the Trishuli River.
More than 50 senior technicians, engineers and mechanics have been deployed to the affected areas. The department has also mobilized more than 15 pieces of heavy equipment for road restoration work.
