The Rangshi section of the Jajarkot-Panchkatiya-Jumla road is currently being realigned to solve a dispute between stakeholders and the local citizens of Jajarkot.

Construction works of the road section have come to a halt due to constant quarrels between the two parties. The construction started a decade back. On Tuesday, Ganesh Prasad Singh, a provincial assembly member of Karnali Province reached Rangshi and discussed with the stakeholders and locals and proposed to realign the road section to solve the dispute once and for all.

In the past, well-connected locals had pressurised road officials to open the track for vehicles to reach their doorsteps. Because of this, the 3-km road stretch ended up having 12 turnings making it difficult for vehicles to ply the road section.

After the all-party meeting, the locals and stakeholders agreed to realign the road at Rangshi. Now, the track will be constructed from the Garansgi-Rawataikhoriya area. Narendra Bhatta, chief of the Division Road Office in Chaurjahari, said that the road was built without a plan in place.

He said, “Road alignment was not in accordance to the norms of road construction. This time, the stakeholders have agreed to realign the road keeping in view the ease of movement of vehicles and commuters.”

According to Singh, the provincial government has placed the construction of the Jajarkot-Panchkatiya-Jumla road in high priority. The road is strategically important since it connects Rara with Jumla and Jajarkot. The total length of the Jajarkot-Panchkatiya-Jumla road is 70 kilometers.

Bhatta said that the construction works will resume after the dispute ends. Ward Chairman Kali Bahadur Oli said that people living in Kushe and Barekot Rural Municipalities are facing difficulties due to lack of transportation.

The road upon completion will connect Jumla with Khalanga, Panchkatiya, Paink, Byaulidhunga and Barekot. Tikaram Khadka, a local man, said, “Once the road construction is complete, locals can transport medicinal herbs and vegetables to the market areas. It will also promote tourism in the region.”