After two weeks of relentless efforts at the initiative of the private sector, a track has been opened through the Sunkoshi landslide on Wednesday. The government had recently said that it was impossible to open a track before the lake subsided.
Commerce and Industries Association in Sindhupalchok, along with other business houses and with the help of Department of Roads, took it upon themselves to carve out the track. The one and a half kilometre alternative track runs from Kalleri located at Ramche near the Araniko Highway, a considerable distance from the lake.
The DoR had opened about 500 metres of the track through the landslide while businessmen undid tracks spanning more than one and a half kilometres from various places.
The track opened by the businessmen and DoR meets at the landslide site.
After more than 1,000 containers were stranded in Tatopani, and Khasa in Tibet, the primary business hub joining Nepal and China, several business organisations, Nepal Truck Container Association and hydro-projects had worked together to open the track in order to cut their losses in trade.
Meanwhile, more than 100 gabion walls have been constructed at the track section in Ramche, while efforts to widen and stone-pave the track for large containers are underway.
Nepal Army is also opening an alternative track via the southern face of the landslide.
Army briefs PM on relief work
Nepal Army has claimed substantive progress in opening an alternative route in Sindupalchowk district that links Nepal with China, an important trade route between the two countries. A massive landslide on August 2 had damaged portions of the Araniko Highway that has cut off linkage with China.
In a briefing about the ongoing relief, rescue, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Sindhupalchok to Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on Wednesday, the army said an alternative route shall be opened in 15 days.
Responding to the presentation made by Directorate General of Military Operation Gen Victor Sumsher Rana, Koirala instructed the NA to complete the renovation of damaged roads and urged to complete rehabilitation before Dashain.
The army also appraised the situation of Mid-west, particularly in Surkhet, Banke and Bardiya districts following the massive landslide and flood, and provided details on necessary requirements for reconstruction and rehabilitation in the areas.
During the meet, the PM also asked the NA to come up with immediate, short term and long term plans to mitigate the natural disaster. (PR)
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