A project to open and upgrade the Beni-Darbang-Muna-Jaljala-Dhorpatan road has been launched.

The construction of the road from Beni to Dhorpatan via Darbang-Muna-Jaljala connecting Taksera in East Rukum will reduce the distance by 70 kms from the Baglung section of the mid-hill highway, said Chairperson of Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality Prem Prasad Pun.

Upgrading the 50 km road from Beni to Muna to Khoria and the work of opening the road from Khoria to Dhorpatan has progressed significantly. A 19-km road to connect Khoriya to Jaljala is being constructed by a separate project worth Rs 30 million.

The project to blacktop the 24-km Beni-Darbang road and gravel the six-km Darbang-Dharapani road has reached its final stage, adds Pun.

The rural municipality has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) with a budget estimate of Rs. one billion to black top the road from Darbang to Mareini and submitted it to the provincial government.

Geographically, the residents of Mangala, Malika and Dhaulagiri Rural Municipalities of Myagdi will benefit and the road will be of national importance in the long term, said Vice-chair of Dhaulagiri rural municipality Ramesh Pun Magar.