Martadi-Kolti Road Still Unfinished After 25 Years, Blocked Again for Two Weeks

Dhangadhi: The crucial Martadi-Kolti road, which connects Martadi, the headquarters of Bajura district, to the district’s northeastern region as well as Humla and Mugu districts of Karnali, has been blocked once again.

Local travel has become increasingly difficult as the road has remained blocked for the past two weeks. Although construction on the approximately 42-kilometer road began 25 years ago, it has yet to be fully blacktopped. So far, only about nine kilometers have been paved. While construction has continued for years on the remaining sections, progress has failed to gain the expected momentum.

Due to the road’s poor condition, completing the journey from Martadi to Kolti in a single vehicle is often difficult. Local representatives say passengers frequently have to switch vehicles along the route, with the situation worsening significantly when rivers flood.

According to Janak Bohara, Mayor of Budhinanda Municipality, passengers usually have to pay more than 1,000 rupees for the Martadi-Kolti journey. He said the cost can double when the road is damaged or rivers are flooded.

“Because there are no bridges over the rivers, we have to change vehicles at various points. A 40-kilometer journey ends up costing up to 2,000 rupees,” he said. “Even after paying such a high fare, the journey is neither safe nor comfortable.”

The contract for constructing the approximately five-kilometer stretch from Chuthi to Dhamkene has been awarded to Baniya-Kusheshwar JV. Similarly, PS Baniya Construction Service JV has undertaken the responsibility of constructing the 26-kilometer road section from Dhamkene to Dansanghu Khola.

According to Jang Bahadur Thapa, Chief of the Infrastructure Development Office in Achham, a contract worth approximately NPR 501.7 million was signed in fiscal year 2076/77 (2019/20) to blacktop the road from Chuthi to Kolti. Although the agreement stipulated completion within three years, the project remains unfinished.

The office said PS Baniya Construction Service JV has failed to complete the work despite repeated deadline extensions. Chief Thapa noted that only about 50 percent of the roadwork has been completed so far.

“We have repeatedly urged them to expedite the work. We are now preparing to terminate the contract,” he said. The office also reported that it has already sought a formal explanation from the contractor.

The history of the Martadi-Kolti road predates the current contract. Construction began after the foundation stone was laid in 2056 BS (1999 AD). Between 2056 and 2062 BS, more than NPR 350 million was spent constructing a 42-kilometer stretch under a food-for-work program managed by the then District Development Committee of Bajura.

Since then, the road has received continuous investment from both the federal and provincial governments. However, the fact that only nine of the 42 kilometers have been blacktopped over a 25-year period highlights the sluggish pace of construction.

It remains uncertain when the road, which is part of the provincial government’s multi-year plan, will finally be completed. Locals are growing increasingly frustrated as the work fails to gain momentum despite repeated promises during elections that the road would be blacktopped.

Merely blacktopping the road will not resolve local issues. Due to the absence of concrete bridges over Baluhil Khola, Anai Khola, and Rajatali, travelers and vehicles are forced to brave significant risks during the monsoon season.

While vehicles can drive directly through the riverbeds during winter, rising water levels during the monsoon compel passengers to switch vehicles along the route. Locals report that even jeeps designed for eight passengers are frequently overloaded beyond their capacity.

Kolti Bazaar serves as a vital commercial hub, connecting four local levels in the northeastern region of Bajura with parts of Mugu and Humla in Karnali Province. Consequently, the Martadi-Kolti road is not merely a transportation route; it is a lifeline for the supply of essential goods, trade, and access to government services.

However, the public continues to face a situation in which they must repeatedly change vehicles, pay exorbitant fares, and endure hazardous journeys. These problems persist due to years of construction delays, the lack of bridges, and the poor condition of the road.