Flood damage to Maldhunga Bridge halts transport, hits tourism, supplies
BAGLUNG: Direct transport to Baglung has been suspended for 12 days after floods swept away the access road to Maldhunga Bridge, the main checkpoint for entering the district.
The Kaligandaki River surge on September 27 washed away about 30 metres of the access road towards Parbat, severing the regular link between Baglung and Parbat and blocking the main route to Myagdi and Mustang via Maldhunga. Maldhunga is a key junction on the Mid-Hill Highway through the Kali Gandaki corridor that connects India and China, and the disruption has affected movement to Baglung and the western region.
Local businesses and residents report a sharp impact on tourism, trade and daily life. Angel Shakya, a hotel owner, said, "There is no main road; how can tourists come? Road connections with Mustang are completely cut off. The later the bridge resumes, the more hotel owners suffer."
Some traffic is using longer alternative routes, including Phalebas–Balewa to Baglung and Maldhunga–Beni to Baglung, but operators say these detours have increased travel time and costs. Traders and shopkeepers report irregular supplies of vegetables, petroleum products, grains, clothing and other consumer goods.
Cooking gas seller Hari Acharya said alternative routes have added an extra transport cost of Rs 150 to Rs 170 per cylinder, forcing him to raise the market price of gas by Rs 100. The rise in transport costs has also pushed up prices of daily essentials.
The road closure has affected health services, with patients requiring treatment in Pokhara forced to use longer routes or walk part of the way.
About 114 metres of the section leading to Maldhunga Bridge is under repair after flood damage to a 30-metre stretch. Krishna Raj Adhikari, head of the Road Division Office in Pokhara, said, "With the festival approaching and the supply of essential items being affected in Baglung, work is ongoing round the clock to get the bridge operational."
Officials expect that reopening the bridge will gradually ease the disruption to trade, tourism and supplies.
By RSS
