Vehicles loaded with apples worth millions of rupees have been left stranded along the Karnali Highway for four days.
Several landslides along the highway have brought the vehicular movement to a standstill.
The vehicles transporting apples grown in Humla and Mugu districts to the Southern plains of Surkhet and Nepalgunj have been stuck on the roads in Kalikot and Dailekh.
Chief District Officer (CDO) of Kalikot Ganesh Nepali said the administration office was coordinating with the Road Division Office in Jumla to clear the debris.
Nepali told Rastriya Samachar Samiti, the state-owned news agency, that landslides have damaged a motorable bridge at Dahi Khola, the natural border between Kalikot and Dailekh.
Similarly, Dailekh’s CDO Khimlal Bhusal, informed that they have also mobilised resources to remove the debris and resume traffic on the highway.
“As Kitu River has subsided, we are constructing a wall to prevent the road section from further damage,” said Bhusal, adding that it might still take two more days to remove the debris.
In an attempt to facilitate the pedestrians, the security personnel have placed stones along the muddy road sections.
While the police have assisted the passengers, the vehicles carrying apples remain to be neglected, local traders said. They worry the prolonged road blockage would ruin the apples and their investment.
“We had hoped to make profits but the apples have been stuck on the road for four days,” said Ram Bahadur Khatri, a trader. “The additional expenses due to the prolonged highway blockade are adding to our loss.”
RSS
