Prolonged rainfall in late September caused an estimated Rs65.1 million in damage to roads along the Kaligandaki Corridor, triggering landslides, road subsidence, retaining wall collapses and debris accumulation. Rebuilding washed-away bridges and constructing those still unbuilt will cost an estimated Rs720 million, according to the project office.
Shiva Lal Dahal, chief of the Kaligandaki Corridor (Gaidakot-Ramdi-Maldhunga Road Project) in Palpa, said preliminary estimates put the cost of immediate road repairs at Rs6.55 million, while permanent reconstruction would require Rs65.1 million.
The Ramdi-Ranimahal stretch, which passes through wards 5, 6 and 7 of Baganasakali Rural Municipality in Palpa, suffered some of the heaviest damage. Floodwaters washed away sections of the access road, while retaining walls collapsed, landslides struck several locations, drains filled with mud and parts of the road subsided, Dahal said.
The project estimates that Rs5.7 million will be needed for immediate repairs on this stretch and Rs700,000 for permanent reconstruction.
Landslides and damage to road structures have disrupted traffic along the Ramdi-Ranimahal section. Vehicles remain unable to use some damaged sections following the latest rainfall, according to the project office.
Damage has also been reported along the Setibeni-Phalebas and Phalebas-Armadi sections of the Kaligandaki highway, covering Galyang Municipality in Syangja district and parts of Parbat district in Gandaki Province. Gabion walls have collapsed, sections of the asphalt road have sunk, retaining walls have been damaged, and landslides have struck several locations.
The Balewa-Maldhunga section of the corridor has also sustained damage. Along the 53-kilometre Mirmi-Armadi section, parts of the road have cracked and sunk. Construction contracts for most sections remain in the tendering process.
Nine bridges remain unfinished
The rainfall has exposed problems with bridge infrastructure as well as roads. The Rudrabeni bridge over the Badigad river in Gulmi district has accumulated some soil and mud. Cleaning and immediate repairs are estimated to cost Rs20,000, the project office said.
Nine bridges remain to be built along sections of the Kaligandaki Corridor, including the Ridi-Beni-Badahare and Ding stretches. Floodwaters have washed away roads at some locations, while bridges remain unbuilt. Their construction is estimated to cost Rs720 million.
Dahal said immediate maintenance and temporary management measures for bridge infrastructure would require Rs220,000. This includes Rs20,000 for cleaning and repairing the Rudrabeni bridge and Rs200,000 for interim measures related to the unfinished bridges.
The project office said it had compiled an assessment of rainfall damage to roads and bridges to estimate the budgets required for immediate repairs and permanent reconstruction.