Narayangadh-Muglin Road: Why Does the Landslide Problem Persist a Decade After Reconstruction?
Officials from the Department of Roads have expressed concern over the persistent landslides during this year’s monsoon season on the crucial Narayangadh-Muglin road, which connects Kathmandu with other parts of the country. Engineer Shubhanjan Dahal, the department’s assistant spokesperson, stated, “The current problem is that landslides are continuously occurring from new locations.” This week, the road has repeatedly closed and reopened due to these landslides. According to the Road Division in Bharatpur, over two dozen significant landslides occurred on this stretch solely in the month of Ashad (June-July). The road was upgraded in 2018, with its width maintained between 9 to 11 meters. Despite extensive cutting of cliffs during the upgrade, experts indicate that stabilizing these slopes remains a substantial challenge.
Dr. Basantraj Adhikari, a geologist at Tribhuvan University’s Institute of Engineering, explained, “The main issue is that measures to prevent landslides have been implemented only in limited areas of the steep hills adjacent to the road and are inadequate.” Consequently, the combination of falling debris from above, accumulation of water within the soil, and seismic instability worsens the situation. Krishna Prasad Acharya, spokesperson of the Road Division Bharatpur, reported repeated landslides in areas such as Simaltal, Tuinkhola, and Khaharekholaa during this monsoon. “The old landslide at Simaltal has become active again, with about five kilometers towards Muglin at risk of landslides. From Dasdhunga to Muglin, there is no segment free from landslide threats.”
Contracts worth approximately NPR 220 million have been awarded to control landslides at Namsikhola towards Muglin and Tuinkhola towards Narayangadh. These projects involve major efforts to stabilize the cliffs. Acharya added, “Work is ongoing to remove weakened sections from above, implement anchoring, and install wire mesh.” Approximately eight years ago, the 32.5-kilometer road segment underwent repair and upgrading at a cost of about NPR 300 million.
Experts recommend proper drainage management, hillside cutting, constructing retaining structures, and tree planting to promote slope stability in this region. Beyond these measures, they emphasize the necessity for a combination of ‘natural solutions’ alongside innovative technologies. They stress that a thorough geological study of landslide-prone areas must be conducted, focusing on managing destabilized rocks during road construction and cliff cuts. “Without such studies, even well-intended safety measures may not be effective,” they warned.