Construction delays along the Maldhunga–Balewa section of the national pride Kaligandaki Corridor have continued to inconvenience travelers, as a key stretch of the road remains unpaved years after the contract was awarded.
Of the 34-kilometer Baglung section of the corridor, 24 kilometers have already been blacktopped, while work on the remaining 10 kilometers is still incomplete. The delay has affected residents of southern Baglung and tourists traveling to the sacred Muktinath Temple.
The contract for upgrading and blacktopping the road was awarded five years ago, with the project initially scheduled for completion within two years. Although the deadline was extended once again in May last year, the work remains unfinished, prompting criticism from local residents and road users.
Engineer Homanath Poudel of the Kaligandaki Corridor Project Office warned that action would be taken against the contractor if the remaining work is not completed within the current fiscal year.
The road upgrade project was awarded at a contract value of Rs 481.26 million.
Contractor Dinbandhu Kafle admitted that budget constraints had slowed the pace of construction. He said additional workers and equipment would be mobilized to accelerate the work and complete the remaining section within the stipulated timeframe.
The Kaligandaki Corridor is regarded as one of Nepal’s national pride projects and serves as an important transportation route linking various districts while facilitating access to major religious and tourist destinations, including Muktinath. Delays in completing the remaining section have continued to hamper travel and economic activities in the region.
