A Bailey bridge has been constructed at Kagkhola in Baragung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality–4 along the Jomsom–Korala road section of the Kali Gandaki Corridor, regarded as the “lifeline” of Gandaki Province that connects north to south.
The bridge was installed after a flood on 28 Shrawan 2080 B.S. (August 2023) swept away the earlier structure. A previously unused Bailey bridge from Rahughat River in Beni Municipality–9 was relocated and installed at Kagkhola.
According to project engineer Bishnu Chapagain, the Bailey bridge is 36 meters long and 5.4 meters wide, constructed at a cost of Rs. 3.5 million, which included transportation, repair, and installation expenses.
During this year’s monsoon, floods in Kagkhola repeatedly obstructed the Kagbeni–Korala road section. The new bridge has now eased travel for locals and tourists heading towards Upper Mustang areas such as Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda and Lomanthang via Baragung Muktikshetra–3 Chhusang to the Korala border point.
Rural Municipality Chairperson Ringjin Namgyal Gurung said the effort had succeeded, adding: “Vehicles have already started crossing through the Bailey bridge. Now even if floods or landslides occur at Kagkhola, there will be no problem.”
Meanwhile, the project has also begun blacktopping works under a multi-year contract along the 10 km Kagbeni–Chhusang section of the road. In the first phase, 9.8 km of blacktopping is underway, awarded to Taxar Iffata Buddha JV with a contract worth Rs. 288.7 million.
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