Gaighat, October 13

Transport services has yet to resume in rural areas of Udayapur as roads damaged by heavy rainfall during monsoon have yet to be repaired.

Locals are reportedly facing difficulties reaching their destinations as village roads were damaged by the landslides while some roads were swept away by incessant rainfall.

People heading towards their homes to celebrate Dashain especially faced difficulties as they were deprived of transport service from Katari and Gaighat to lower parts of Khotang.

Vice-Chairman Umesh Basnet of Himali Transport Entrepreneurs Association said that till date, the concerned authority has not shown any interest in repairing the damaged roads. He said passengers heading towards Khotang were stranded after Saune-Phoksintar road section was obstructed.

Overseer Dipak Thapa of Diktel-Gaighat Road Project said works on opening the obstructed roads were under way. “Saune-Phoksintar road section, which was badly damaged during the rainy season, is being repaired and landslide debris has also been cleared,” he informed.

Meanwhile, Bishwojit Rai, an official at the District Development Committee, said rural roads could not be repaired due to lack of budget. “Division Road Office, Lahan has not taken initiatives to repair the roads citing budget crunch,” he said.

He informed that some roads in the hilly areas would be repaired after the festival. “We have sent a survey team for the same and budget will be allocated accordingly,” he informed.