Blacktopping of Road Built Through Community Labor in Dhankuta Begins with World Bank Support

June 16, Dhankuta – The blacktopping work on the road stretching from Hile to Chokrok, Bhirgaon, and Madhuganga Dham in Dhankuta Municipality has commenced. Originally constructed in 2000 through community labor, this road is now being asphalted with approximately NPR 360 million in financial assistance from the World Bank. At a time when government budgets and technical resources were scarce, local villagers contributed 96 days of voluntary labor to open the road track.

The road, spanning wards 1 and 2 of Dhankuta Municipality, was initially built to ease pedestrian access between the locals of Bhirgaon and Hile market. Over time, it integrated into the municipality’s ring road concept and has become a backbone supporting Dhankuta’s development.

Under the current World Bank-supported project, about 7.2 kilometers of the road is being upgraded. Of this, 3.3 kilometers have already been paved, while asphalt blacktopping continues on the remaining 4 kilometers. According to Sitaram Gautam, Planning and Monitoring Officer of Dhankuta Municipality, the target is to complete the blacktopping by the end of June, weather permitting. The road upgrade is expected to facilitate easier access for religious tourists visiting Madhuganga Dham and is projected to positively impact local hotels, small businesses, and service-oriented activities.

However, the ring road concept remains incomplete. Although the upper section from Hile to Chokrok, Bhirgaon, and Madhuganga is under blacktopping, the lower section from Bihibarehat through Malbansé to Bhirgaon and Madhuganga has yet to be upgraded. According to Dhankuta Municipality, the delay is due to budget constraints, with only track opening and structural preparations completed so far. Although proposals have been submitted to the World Bank for the lower section upgrades, approval is still pending, Gautam added.

With the upper road blacktopping, travel from Hile market to Bhirgaon and Madhuganga Dham has become more convenient. Completion of the lower section’s upgrade will enable easier access to Dhankuta Bazaar, Bhirgaon, and Madhuganga Dham, thus fulfilling the municipality’s ring road vision.