The road leading to the popular tourist destination Ghodepani in Annapurna Gaunpalika-6, Myagdi, has been blocked, causing significant inconvenience to both tourists and residents. The road, which connects Pokharebagar to Ghar, Khivang, Shikh, and Chitre, was damaged by a landslide at Ghoptekhark in Annapurna-5, leading to a transportation halt since the start of the monsoon in July.
According to Tara Pun, a hotel owner in Ghodepani, the roadblock has severely affected the movement of tourists and the daily lives of locals. “Tourists who come to visit Ghodepani by vehicle are facing difficulties due to the road condition,” Pun said. “Although the tourist season is approaching, we are struggling to transport essential supplies like vegetables and groceries to the hotels.”
The landslide has damaged about 10 meters of the road’s edge at Ghoptekhark, making it impassable for vehicles other than motorcycles. Furthermore, the road has sunk at Luliya and Hallekhark bends on the Pokharebagar-Chitre-Ghodepani route, rendering bus and truck operations impossible.
Ghodepani, which receives around 30,000 foreign tourists annually, and even more domestic tourists, is renowned for its panoramic views from Poon Hill, its sunrise vistas, Himalayan ranges, hilly terrain, rhododendron forests, wildlife, birds, and Magar culture.
The Pokharebagar-Chitre road, which stretches 18.54 kilometers, was graveled, paved, and blacktopped last year at a cost of approximately NPR 300 million, 15 years after it first opened.
Ward Chairman Ram Bahadur Khadka of Annapurna Gaunpalika-6 stated that the rural municipality is working on upgrading an alternative route connecting Khivang, Kutuka, Peribharani, and Ghodepani, while efforts are being made to repair the landslide-damaged road through the project office.
In Shrawan, a team led by Annapurna Gaunpalika Chairman Bharat Kumar Pun and Vice-Chairperson Diva Tilija Pun met with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management Devendra Dahal to draw attention to the long-term resolution of the Pokharebagar-Chitre road issues.
