The main access road to Ghandruk, the gateway to the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), has finally reopened after being closed for two and a half months. The Nayapul-Birethanti-Ghandruk road was obstructed by a landslide at Kilau in Annapurna-10 on Ashar 20. The road is now fully operational as of Tuesday, according to Soviet Khadka, the head of the Infrastructure Development Office.
The road closure caused significant difficulties for residents and disrupted tourism activities in the area. The direct transportation link between Pokhara and Ghandruk was severed, impacting both the local community and tourists.
The repair of the road was carried out with financial support from the Infrastructure Development Office under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management of Gandaki Province. The project cost Rs. 2.7 million, including Rs. 2.5 million from the Infrastructure Development Office and Rs. 225,000 contributed through local labor.
Khadka explained that the road had sunk in the middle, preventing vehicles from passing. “Travelers had to switch vehicles midway and walk a short distance to continue their journey. We’ve now repaired the road with a gabion wall to prevent further landslides,” he said.
Gautam Gurung, the Ward Chair of Annapurna Rural Municipality-10, expressed relief that vehicles can now easily reach the Ghandruk bus park, resolving the long-standing obstruction. Tourism entrepreneurs in Ghandruk are optimistic as the road reopens just in time for the peak tourist season.
Amrit Gurung, a tourism entrepreneur from Ghandruk, expressed his happiness, noting that the repair has eased the difficulties faced by both locals and tourists. “The road near Ghandruk village had sunk, forcing people to change vehicles midway. It was a challenge for locals and tourists alike, but now it’s easier to travel,” he said.
The Nayapul-Birethanti-Ghandruk road stretch is 17 kilometers long. The provincial government has allocated Rs. 15 million in the current fiscal year for the construction and upgrading of the Nayapul-Birethanti-Kulldanda-Ghandruk-Uri road, which is part of this stretch.
Ghandruk serves as a prominent gateway to the world-renowned Annapurna Base Camp. Hundreds of tourists pass through Ghandruk daily during the peak tourist season to reach ABC. In recent years, Ghandruk has emerged as a tourism hub, attracting domestic tourists throughout the year to experience Gurung culture and the stunning landscapes.
