Rs 2.19 billion approved for reconstruction of disaster-hit roads in Ilam

KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Finance has approved funding worth Rs 2.19 billion for the repair and reconstruction of roads and bridges damaged by heavy rainfall in Ilam district earlier this year.

The funding approval follows a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport for the restoration of critical road and bridge infrastructure damaged by torrential rains on October 4–5 (Ashoj 18–19). The Ministry of Finance has granted source assurance for the proposed programs, paving the way for reconstruction works.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the allocated amount will be used to repair and rebuild key infrastructure, including the Mechi Highway, Maikhola Bridge at Rajduwali, Maikhola Bridge at Belwase, Puwakhola Bridge, Jogmaikhola Bridge, and sections of the Mechi Corridor.

Of the total approved amount, Rs 540 million has been released immediately for the current fiscal year to address urgent reconstruction needs. With source assurance secured, authorities said the procurement and tendering process for road and bridge reconstruction can now move forward.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation; Physical Infrastructure and Transport; and Urban Development, Kul Man Ghising, has directed the Department of Roads to immediately initiate the tender process, citing the urgency of restoring disaster-damaged infrastructure. The reconstruction work will be implemented through the Ilam Road Division under the Department of Roads.

Following monsoon-induced disasters that claimed 39 lives and caused extensive damage to physical infrastructure, the government declared Ilam a “disaster crisis zone” for three months on October 7 (Ashoj 23).

A high-level government team, including Minister Ghising, Secretary Keshav Kumar Sharma, Home Secretary Rameshwar Dangal, Department of Roads Director General Vijay Jaisi, and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority Chief Executive Officer Dinesh Raj Bhatt, visited Ilam on October 9 (Ashoj 25) to assess the damage.

During the inspection, the team committed to providing immediate relief to affected households, carrying out urgent repairs to damaged infrastructure to restore normal life, and formulating both short-term and long-term recovery plans.

The largest share of the funding—Rs 1.5 billion—has been allocated for the reconstruction of the Mechi Highway. Source assurance has also been provided for Rs 20 million for the permanent motorable Maikhola Bridge at Rajduwali, Rs 25 million for the permanent motorable Maikhola Bridge at Belwase under the Mechi Corridor, Rs 5 million each for the construction of Bailey bridges over the Puwakhola and Jogmaikhola rivers, and Rs 140 million for the Mechi Corridor, which serves as an alternative route to the Mechi Highway.

For the current fiscal year, Rs 250 million has been released for the Mechi Highway, while Rs 50 million and Rs 100 million have been released for the Maikhola Rajduwali and Maikhola Belwase bridges respectively. Rs 40 million has been released for the Mechi Corridor, and the full required amount has been released for the construction of the two Bailey bridges.

Government officials said the funding approval and immediate release of resources are expected to accelerate reconstruction works and help restore connectivity in disaster-affected areas of Ilam.