Road repair underway in Budhitola, Kailali

Dhangadhi: Repair work has commenced on a 500-meter stretch of road in Budhitola, Kailali, which was severely damaged by landslides during the monsoon season.

The Road Division Office, Mahendranagar has awarded a contract worth Rs 7.3 lakhs for the repairs, which are expected to be completed within two months along the Mahakali Highway. So far, the construction company has completed work worth over Rs 30 lakhs. Due to the presence of underground water sources in Budhitola, new technology is being used for the repair process. Five wells, each 16–20 meters deep, have been constructed along the upper section of the highway to collect groundwater and prevent seepage onto the road. These wells are interconnected, and 200 pipes have been installed to drain surface water efficiently.

According to Chitra Chaulagain, an engineer at the Road Division Office, Mahendranagar, the main construction work will be completed within two months. However, blacktopping the road is not included in the current fiscal year’s plan. He stated that a new contract agreement will be signed in the next fiscal year to complete the blacktop work.

The Mahakali Highway is a crucial lifeline for the seven hilly districts of the Far West. Landslides in the Budhitola area last monsoon severed road connectivity with the Terai, disrupting transportation for more than a week. Efforts to construct alternative routes—such as the Daiji-Jogbudha Road and the Dhangadhi-Dipayal Expressway—are ongoing, but progress remains slow.