Manthali-Khurkot road in sorry state

Ramechhap, July 1

Manthali-Khurkot road section that connects Ramechhap’s Manthali with Kathmandu is deteriorating.

Heavy vehicles loaded beyond capacity plying the road and use of substandard materials in road construction have caused the road to dilapidate. Black-topped about six years ago, the road had to be repaired just a year after its top layer started wearing out.

The 16-km stretch from Manthali to Khurkot is full of potholes and cracks. Vehicle drivers and passengers are facing a hard time traveling on the road.

Santosh Ray, a driver, said the sorry state of the road had given them a hard time driving.

Transport entrepreneurs said it took more than an hour to cover the 16-km road stretch.

The road section is full of dust on a sunny day and gets muddy with rainfall.

Vehicles plying the road carrying heavy machines and other consignments for different hydel projects being constructed in Ramechhap and Dolakha districts have contributed to the present condition of the road,” according to locals. Tippers have added to the degradation of the road.

Division Road Office Khurkot, Sindhuli, Engineer Ram Bahadur Biswokarma admitted that the road condition was degrading by the day. He added the road could not be repaired this year for want of budget.