Work has been underway to widen the road by improving a narrow and dangerous bend in the approximately 15-kilometer section from Jorkalash to Harkate in Rong Rural Municipality of Ilam.
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Work on improving the bends on the Mechi Highway, a major road network connecting the Terai with the hilly districts of eastern Nepal, has begun in earnest. The work has been taken forward to widen the road by improving the narrow and dangerous bends located in the approximately 15-kilometer section from Jorkalash to Harkate in Rong Rural Municipality of Ilam. The work of cutting the cliffs and installing retaining walls is currently underway.
Due to the narrow road and fast turns, there have been frequent accidents on this section. Senior Division Engineer Pawan Bhattarai of the Division Road Office, Ilam, said that the turn improvement plan is expected to be effective in making this road section, which has become risky for both passengers and drivers, safe. According to him, the main objective of the plan is to reduce road accidents. ‘The small road and narrow turns had increased the number of accidents,’ he said, ‘After the completion of this plan, it is expected that the turns will be easy and the journey will be safe.’
The contract for this project has been awarded to J&J Construction Services, based in Damak, Jhapa. Although the contract was signed last Ashar, the work has been delayed due to technical preparation and weather. The project, estimated to cost around Rs 230 million, is targeted to be completed within two years.
There are dozens of small and big turns from Jorkalash to Harkate. Engineer Bhattarai informed that there is a plan to widen the road by improving all those roundabouts. Under this plan, work will also be done to prevent landslides that have been causing problems in the Rajduwali area of Ilam. The Division Road Office says that a permanent solution will be found in the area where the road has been blocked every year due to landslides.
Mechi Highway is deeply connected to the development of eastern Nepal. This highway, which starts from Kachankawal in Jhapa in the lowlands and reaches Taplejung via Ilam, is considered a lifeline connecting the hills and the Terai. This road is the main basis for transporting tea, cardamom, ginger, milk and other agricultural produce to the markets in the Terai. In addition, the Mechi Highway is an indispensable route for travelers and tourists going to Ilam, Panchthar and Taplejung.
According to Rong Rural Municipality Chairman Manikumar Syangbo (Subas), this highway has been challenging since its construction due to the hilly terrain. The journey has always been uncomfortable due to sharp turns, narrow roads and the risk of landslides. This is why there have been demands for improvements and upgrades from time to time.
‘The recently launched turn improvement project is expected to reduce travel time, facilitate vehicle operation and make a significant contribution to reducing accidents,’ said Chairman Syangbo. Locals and regular commuters are also hoping that the work will be completed on time and a safe road will be available. Locals are seeing this effort to make the Mechi Highway, which has been strengthening the connection between the eastern hills and the Terai, safe and reliable, as an important step towards long-term development.
