The damaged approach road of Mal Dhunga Bridge has created an adverse impact on tourism business in Baglung. The road blockage between Baglung and Parbat has impeded the flow of tourists in the region during the Dashain holiday. The affected businesses in the region include the restaurants, hotels and other tourism-related entities. The road disruption has also impacted the movement of people towards Kalika Temple, Panchakot and Dhorpatan and towards Myagdi and Mustang. While the tourism entrepreneurs in the region had anticipated a boost in the business during the holiday season, it seems that the road blockage has adversely impacted their business.
Impeded Traffic Flow Leaves Baglung Hotels Vacant During Dashain
The Dashain festival season witnesses a large number of domestic tourists visiting various religious sites situated in Baglung before heading to Mustang. Hence, the blockage of the only road connecting Baglung and Parbat has adversely impacted the tourism business in the region. The disrupted road connectivity has also affected trade movement between the two regions. The tourism entrepreneurs in the region had anticipated a good number of tourists during the holiday season, but the situation at the moment is not very pleasing for them.
A hotel entrepreneur, Anjil Shakya said, “The situation is not very pleasing for the hotel entrepreneurs in Baglung as the hotels were lying empty despite the oncoming festive season when the business would have surely picked up.” He further said, “The road connectivity between Baglung and Mustang is very crucial for the tourism business in the region and the blockage of the only road connecting the two places has adversely impacted it. Very few people have opted for the alternative route in the absence of the usual road connectivity.”
Moreover, the closure of the main road between Baglung and Parbat has hampered the movement of people towards Myagdi and Mustang, which has adversely impacted the tourism business in Baglung.According to Anjil Shakya, the closure of the road connecting Baglung with Parbat is causing loss to the tourism industry of Baglung. He further said that the delay in restoring the road connectivity would cause further losses to the businesses in the region, apart from the inconvenience caused to the people.
Blockage of Baglung Road Hampers Movement Toward Mustang
The damage to the road occurred when a flash flood struck Kali Gandaki river on September 27 and the entire 30 meter long road near Mal Dhunga Bridge on the Parbat side was washed away. The road blockage has affected the traffic flow between Baglung and Parbat. Moreover, this road acts as a gateway towards Myagdi and Mustang, and hence the blockage has disrupted the movement of tourists towards these destinations. The road which connects Kali Gandaki Corridor and Mid Hill Highway is crucial for tourism as well as trade in the region.
Since the disruption of the road, passenger and small goods vehicles have been using the alternate routes such as Phalebas-Balewa-Baglung and Mal Dhunga-Beni-Baglung to travel between Baglung and Parbat. Baglung is one of the many tourist destinations lying on the route towards Mustang. Hence, the disruption of the road has adversely impacted the tourism entrepreneurs in the region.
Road Clearance Will Improve Trade and Tourism
According to the Road Division Office, Pokhara, there are efforts to clear the road before Dashain festival commences. The representative of the office Krishna Raj Adhikari said, “The workers are working round the clock to clear the road as it has become very difficult to transport essential supplies like food, cooking gas, etc. and the festive season is approaching.” The 114 meter long Mal Dhunga Bridge is crucial for the road connectivity between Baglung and Parbat. The prompt clearance of the road will ensure smooth flow of trade between these regions.
The road connectivity between Baglung and Parbat will improve the tourism scenario in the region as it will be easier for the tourists to access the religious sites in Baglung. Furthermore, it will be easier for them to travel towards Mustang as well. The tourism business in the region as well as the trade movement will witness a boost, once the road connectivity is restored between these regions.
Source: Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS)
