Construction work to upgrade the road at Mainamaini of Udayapur that connects Rupnagar of Saptari has been sluggish at best.The road was brought into operation as an alternative way after flood in the Saptakoshi River damaged the dam along the East-West Highway section in 2009. The road is taken as an alternative path along Rampur-Gaighat-Hetauda road section.The construction work along the road section had started alongside the construction of a bridge over Saptakoshi River.

The road expansion started last year aiming to accomplish the work within three years. Planning Chief Chhatra Aryal of Kalika Construction Pvt said that even 30 per cent work for the 56-km road has not been completed yet. “We should have completed at least 50 per cent work till date, but we could not,” he said. Aryal added that the work could not run smoothly due to the fuel crisis, Tarai agitation and lack of raw materials, among others. “We will complete the work on time if there is no obstruction,” he added.

Asian Development Bank had spent Rs 2.34 billion for upgradation of the road. It is said that as many as 19 rivers were there along the road. “The bridge construction work over 17 rivers along the road section is under way,” said Aryal.

Local farmers in the eastern part of Udayapur can easily take their products in Dharan, Itahari and Biratnagar, among other places of the east after completion of the road. It is said that a family along the road section had also received Rs 150,000 in compensation. Koshi Primary School had received Rs 6 million as the school had to be shifted to another place.