Korala road construction nears completion

The Kaligandaki Corridor (Beni-Jomsom-Korala) road project, a vital part of Nepal’s national pride infrastructure, has made significant strides with 80 percent of the physical work completed, according to the latest project report. Financial progress stands at 75 percent. The project, initiated on 27 Nov 2016, aims to establish an all-weather road network connecting southern Nepal to the Korala border with China in the north.

A total of Rs 10bn was allocated for the construction and upgrading of 202 kilometers of road and bridges stretching from Maldhunga in Parbat to Koralanaka in Mustang. As of the last fiscal year, Rs 7bn has been contracted for the project. Initially projected for completion by the fiscal year 2022/23, the deadline has been extended to 2025/26 due to challenges such as natural disasters and construction delays.

Out of the 202 kilometers, 150 kilometers of road are under the contract management project. So far, 45.71 percent of the planned blacktopping is completed, with 48 kilometers finished. Additionally, 77 kilometers of gravel road have been completed, though the 25-kilometer Charang-Chooser stretch remains unfinished due to slow contractor performance and adverse weather.

Dhurba Jha, head of the Korala Road project, reported that of the 24 bridges needed along the route, 19 have been contracted, with 11 bridges already completed. The project has faced delays in bridge construction, with four contracts broken, but efforts are underway to enter new contracts for the remaining bridges.

Despite setbacks, the project has maintained momentum. Jha mentioned that five of the eight contracts from Maldhunga to Kagbeni are under construction, while some bridges have already been completed. The Korala road, once fully operational, is expected to boost trade and connectivity between Nepal and China, strengthening Nepal’s northern trade corridor.