Himal Press 
File Photo
POKHARA: Blacktopping is currently underway on a 17-kilometre section of the Beni-Korala Road between Khantigaun and Jomsom in Mustang district.
About 70% of the work on the section, which is Package 4 of the Beni-Korala road, has already been completed. The construction is being carried out by Gauri-Parbati/Koshi and Neuapne JV. According to Kamal Bhandari, a representative of the construction company, concrete work on one kilometer of road until Jomsom Airport will begin once the blacktopping is complete. We are planning to complete the remaining work on this section by the end of this fiscal year (mid-June), said Bhandari.
Upon completion, the road will facilitate the movement of pilgrims to the famous Muktinath Temple as well as trekkers heading to the famous Upper Mustang region as well as other trekking areas of Mustang. Further, the road is a part of the Kaligandaki Corridor Road which connects the Nepal-China border point of Korala with India.
Package 4 of the road project includes blacktopping on 16 kilometers and concrete works on one kilometer toward Jomsom Airport end. The estimated cost of the work is Rs 705.25 million.
Although construction work began six years ago, the difficult geography in the area has slowed progress. Despite setbacks on other sections, work on two packages between Ghasa and Jomsom is progressing smoothly.
Suresh Thakali, the chairperson of Ward-1 of Thasang Rural Municipality, reported that work on Packages 3 and 4 is currently underway.
The Beni-Korala Road Project Office is implementing the project by dividing the road into seven sections.
