Tarkakhola road plan abandoned

The government's goal of connecting local levels with the state capital through paved roads has fallen into disrepair.

The Rijal Chowk-Amarbhoomi-Argal road section connecting Arghal, the center of Tarakhola village municipality, has not been tarred. The Project Selection Committee of the local infrastructure project development office had selected the road for blacktop last year.

Village Municipality Chairman Prakash Gharti said that the implementation of the plan was in confusion despite the decision. "Even after being selected for the road blacktop, other works could not pick up speed. There is no sign of improvement," he said.

Chairman Gharti is of the view that the road may have been affected by the budget cuts made by the government. Kumar Thapa, head of the Local Infrastructure Project Development Office, Gandaki, said the project was dormant.

"The budget of many roads has been cut. No work has been able to move forward as this project has not been given priority," he said. There is also confusion as to whether the road plan of that nature will be implemented by the federation or the state government.

Chief of Office Thapa said that he did not know the details even though he knew that discussions were underway to give responsibility to the state government. He mentioned that the process of road blacktop would move forward if the budget is assured.

The selection committee comprising senior division engineers of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure, Urban Development and Transport Management and representatives of the villages had selected the 20 km road for blacktop and recommended it to the Center. Gharti said that it was sad that the plan was abandoned even though it was stated that a detailed project report (DPR) would be prepared soon. The locals were also happy at that time with the news.

The villagers have started complaining again after the plan was not finalized. The village municipality has even named the road as 'Martyr's Road'. During the People's War, the then Maoist cadres and the people had paved the way for the road.

The cost for tarring the section is estimated to be around Rs. 700 million. It is said that 70 percent of the cost will be shared by the federal government, 10 percent by the state and 20 percent by the villages. Even after years of opening the road, it has not been tarred. The village municipality has been carrying out maintenance and improvements from its own budget. In the rainy season, the road becomes dilapidated and travelling via it is risky. 

It is seen that the connection of paved roads will facilitate the movement of passengers and will help in marketing the local products of Tarakhola. The district is rich in terms of agriculture, livestock and forest products. Even now the basic products are being exported. Due to the substandard roads, it is now an hour's journey from Tarakhola to the district headquarters. If the road is tarred, the journey to the state capital Pokhara via the highway will be easy and quick.