A preliminary study has shown that the root cause of the problem of the Maikhola (Rajduwali) road section of Ilam under the Mechi Highway, which has been sinking, flowing and repeatedly blocked for years, may be the tunnel of the Puwakhola Hydropower Project.

The team that went out during the on-site study discovered that the problem of continuous landslides and road subsidence in this area due to water leaking from the tunnel on the tunnel route of the hydropower project.

During the on-site study conducted by the District Administration Office, Ilam and stakeholders, technicians pointed out that the same water could be the root cause of the landslide after it was found that a sufficient amount of water was leaking from the 'penstock pipe' used for the hydropower project.

The team, accompanied by Chief District Officer Laxman Dhakal, Road Division Office, Ilam Chief Pawan Bhattarai and technicians, inspected a one and a half kilometer distance of the hydropower tunnel route on-site.

During which, Pawan Bhattarai, Chief Engineer of the Road Division Office, Ilam, informed that the penstock pipe was found to be cracked and leaking water in an area of ​​about 200 meters.

Bhattarai also said that the process of bringing in a high-level technical team to conduct a detailed study to find out what is the main reason for the landslide despite the initial study showing water leakage.

‘During the on-site monitoring, the initial conclusion was drawn that the excessive cracking in the tunnel directly affected the seepage problem of Rajduwali. Hydro has been requested to conduct an immediate detailed study and effective rectification,’ he said.

Despite road reconstruction, landslide control and geological studies being carried out for years, a study was being conducted to find out why the problem is recurring. The administration inspected the project structure for the first time after locals said that water was continuously leaking from the hydro tunnel.

According to Bhattarai, the water has been drained to remove the soil accumulated in the head tank as the condition inside the pipe appears abnormal. It is suspected that there may be a crack there too.

After all efforts to find out the cause of the problem have failed, Chief District Officer Dhakal said that the decision has been made to conduct an on-site study of the hydropower project's structures.

Locals say that the problem has become more complex in this area after the 2072 BS earthquake. Since then, the road has repeatedly collapsed, landslides have occurred, and the reconstructed structures have been damaged again.

After the rains on Asoj 18, the Mechi Highway was completely blocked for 12 days due to a large landslide in this section. Even now, temporary structures are being built over the Maikhola and vehicles are being operated.

The Road Division has stated that it is trying to build a 10-meter-high retaining wall from the river, drain water through pipes, and protect the upper part of the road. But officials say that the work has not been effective due to continuous rains, floods in the river and landslides from above.

The reconstruction is being delayed due to the inability to completely close the main road and the lack of reliable alternative roads. The repair of the old Maikhola bridge in Rajduwali is also being carried out simultaneously and about 60 percent of its work is said to be completed.