Ilam : The construction of the Damak-Chis0pani road, connecting Damak in Jhapa to Mangsebung Rural Municipality in Ilam and further to Chisopani in Panchthar, has remained unfinished despite over three decades since its inception. Though substantial investments have been made, the road’s condition remains poor, causing ongoing difficulties for local residents.
The 33-kilometer stretch currently has only a rough track near the Ratuwa River, which turns dusty in the dry season and muddy during the rains, severely disrupting transportation and daily life. The absence of proper blacktopping forces travelers to endure challenging journeys, especially during the monsoon.
This road is a vital access route linking Jhapa, Ilam, and Panchthar, serving thousands of residents and facilitating the transport of agricultural products to markets. The persistent delay in completing the road has sparked frustration among locals.
The road lies within the electoral constituencies of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli (Damak, Jhapa) and former Constituent Assembly Speaker Subas Chandra Nembang (Mangsebung, Ilam), and the failure to complete the project has drawn criticism towards the leadership.
Although the government has allocated billions of rupees to the project, the construction companies awarded contracts have failed to complete the work. The Damak Road Division reports that seven years have passed since the contract was awarded to blacktop the entire 33-kilometer road, but less than half the work is done.
The project was divided into three sections with contracts awarded accordingly. The first section, from Zero Point in Damak to Mahalaxmi-Kirateshwar, covering seven kilometers, was contracted to Mahalaxmi-Kirateshwar JV in 2018 for Rs 225.96 million. Despite four deadline extensions, the blacktopping is still incomplete. The latest contract extension ended in mid-June 2023, but the contractor is now working under daily fines. The Road Division chief, Shyam Kumar Yadav, stated that the contractor has requested another extension, which is yet to be decided.
The second and third sections, 15 km and 11 km respectively, were contracted to Lumbini-Ganpati JV in February 2020. The contracts, valued at Rs 544.48 million and Rs 591.35 million, had deadlines in February 2023. However, only 62 percent of the second section and 28 percent of the third section were completed before work halted.
Legal disputes have further stalled progress. After the Road Division canceled the contracts in February 2024 due to non-performance, Lumbini-Ganpati JV filed petitions in Patan High Court and Jhapa District Court. While the High Court rejected the petition, the District Court case remains unresolved, preventing any continuation of work.
The road construction initially began in 1992 under a committee led by Dr. Gopal Koirala and has seen various committees formed over the years, but completion remains elusive.
Local residents endure hardship, especially during the rainy season when the road becomes nearly impassable. Sajjan Rai of Mangsebung-3 said traveling is very difficult during the monsoon. Similarly, Samiksha Khadka of Mangsebung-2 expressed frustration over repeated promises and political use of the road during elections without tangible progress.
To alleviate difficulties, Mangsebung Rural Municipality has undertaken maintenance work with its own funds. Last year, Rs 1.5 million was allocated for repairs, and this year the municipality has provided a JCB to local entrepreneurs who are carrying out minor repairs using their own fuel. Municipality Chairperson Hemant Rai said they have urged relevant authorities to expedite the work.
Despite ongoing challenges, the road remains critical for connectivity and economic activity in the region.
