Panchthar, July 19

Pangrebhir stretch of Ilam-Phidim section of the Mechi Highway has been obstructed for three days with frequent incidents of landslides, affecting passengers and commuters alike.

Those hit the hardest by the disruption of transportation are the examinees of the Public Service Commission and Teachers Service Commission. Sushma Nepal of Yangbarak, Panchthar, shared her plight of having to walk for hours while returning home after appearing a job interview by TSC.

According to Chief District Officer Murari Wasti of Panchthar, work to clear debris of landslides on the road has been stopped as landslides showed no sign of stopping.

“We tried to clear the debris by using heavy equipment. But as the landslides didn’t stop, we had to stop the work,” Wasti said .

As the road remains disrupted a large amount of vegetables on the way to Indian markets and the hill-bound consignments of agro-products from Tarai have started rotting.

Though obstructions along the road stretch is not a new issue, this is the first time that the road has been disrupted for such a long time.

Vehicular movement along the road has been obstructed for 17 times since the onset of monsoon this year.