Mechi Highway Remains Blocked Due to Landslides

July 29, Panchthar. The Mechi Highway has been completely blocked for several days due to landslides in the Rajduwali section of Ilam, affecting the daily lives of people in the eastern hilly districts of Ilam, Panchthar, and Taplejung.

The main problem in the Rajduwali area, which is connected to the Mai River, is the annual landslides. According to Pawan Bhattarai, chief of the Road Division Office in Ilam, repair efforts are ongoing, but the monsoon season has made it difficult to operate in the area.

Physical Infrastructure Minister Sunil Lamshal recently visited the site, but the road conditions remain unchanged. The highway blockade has created serious problems in the local area, including difficulties in transporting patients to hospitals and accessing emergency health services.

Ilam Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Krishna Poudel stated that the blockade has resulted in a shortage of essential goods, including food, petroleum products, and LPG gas, in the market.

This is not the first time the Mechi Highway has faced problems during the monsoon season. In the past, the areas of Pangrebhir, Ramite, and Heva River Bridge in Panchthar have caused disruptions, while the Rajduwali section has become a major problem in recent years.

Despite this, the government has not been able to find a long-term solution to the problem. The alternative roads used after the main highway was blocked are also not reliable. The Tilakeni-Simal Golaai section is extremely rough and difficult to navigate, and the Jogmai River diversion is prone to flooding.

According to Road Division Chief Bhattarai, the lack of a Bailey bridge at the Jogmai and Puvu rivers has hindered efforts to repair the road. Another alternative route, the Kechan-Kanchanjungha road, is also blocked due to the lack of a bridge over the Puvu River.

The Tamor Corridor, which connects Panchthar and Taplejung to Dhankuta-Itahari, is also affected by the lack of bridges over rivers such as the Nawa, resulting in frequent disruptions to traffic during heavy rainfall.

The issue has been raised in the Parliament, with MP Narendra Kumar Kerung drawing the government’s attention to the problem. He highlighted the severe shortage of gas and fuel in the area and requested the government to take immediate action to repair the Tilakeni-Simal Golaai section and allocate the necessary budget.