Youth build narrow footpath by breaking rocks along Mahakali river in Darchula

Darchula: Youth from Byans Rural Municipality have manually broken rocks along the Mahakali River, which runs through the Nepal-India border, to construct a narrow footpath for local residents.

Due to the absence of a connecting path between Ward No. 1 and 2 of Byans, local youth took on the risky task of breaking steep rocks adjacent to the river to build the road. Led by Janak Singh Dhami of Byans-2, a group of 43 youths created the footpath linking the villages of Chhangaru and Tinkar in Ward No. 1 with Dumling and Kalju villages in Ward No. 2.

Dhami explained that the community had to rely on the Indian road to travel between the villages, requiring permission from Indian authorities, which restricted their movement. “This road not only connects two wards but also secures the geographical integrity of our country. Workers were paid Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500 per day for undertaking this hazardous work,” he said.

Previously, the traditional Ghoreto road connecting these wards collapsed due to erosion caused by an Indian-built road that diverted the Mahakali River towards Nepal. Though a 450-meter section was reopened in 2077 BS with assistance from the Nepali Army, it lasted less than a year.

Dhami, entrusted with building the footpath in the challenging ‘Thi Bhir’ area, expressed pride in the project. “We have built this road out of love for our homeland, risking our lives. Without collective cooperation, this accomplishment would not have been possible,” he remarked.

Ujjwal Singh Mahata, who worked on the road while suspended by ropes on cliffs, recalled the perilous conditions: “Hard rock on one side and a rushing river below — any mistake could have been fatal. Even now, the memory is chilling.”

For nearly 30 years, villagers had to depend on the Indian road to access Chhangru and Tinkar. The road-building initiative, awarded through a tender to Mission-Deohari JV Construction Company, is progressing steadily. Contracted at Rs 56.994 million, about 85 percent of the work was completed by mid-Ashar, according to construction entrepreneur Keshav Bahadur Pal. He noted the riskiness of the terrain and praised workers for their continuous efforts.

The project deadline has been extended to November 15, with ongoing construction focusing on bridges and road repairs, particularly in the Api Khola and Thi Bhir areas. The aim is to provide safe access for the people of Byans to traverse their own land.

According to Jagatsingh Dadal, sub-engineer of the rural municipality, Rs 41.133 million has been spent on the Ghoreto road so far. The company has constructed and repaired 20 kilometers of roads across Byans Wards 1 and 2, covering Tambaku, Malpa, Ghatibagad, Bayali, Dopakhe, Pola, Girkisse, Budi Apikhola, and Kuntisau.

The construction includes 650 cubic meters of masonry walls, 577 cubic meters of dry walls, 72 cubic meters of stone walls, 500 cubic meters of concrete slabs, and 20 cubic meters (85 meters) of RCC slopes. Additionally, three RCC bridges spanning six meters each have been built at Dopakhe, Apikhola, and Kuntisau.