The Ministry of Finance has approved a budget of Rs 2.19 billion for the repair and reconstruction of roads damaged by floods and landslides in Ilam district following heavy rainfall in mid-October.

The funding approval was granted in response to a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport for the rehabilitation of damaged roads and bridges.

According to the ministry, reconstruction work will now move forward on key infrastructures including the Mechi Highway, Maikhola Bridge (Rajduwali), Maikhola Bridge at Belase, Puwakhola Bridge, Jogmai Khola Bridge, and sections of the Mechi Corridor.

Out of the total amount, Rs 1.5 billion has been allocated specifically for the reconstruction of the Mechi Highway. An additional Rs 20 million has been approved for the Maikhola motorable permanent bridge at Rajduwali, Rs 25 million for the Belase bridge, and Rs 5 million each for the construction of Bailey bridges over the Puwakhola and Jogmai Khola. Another Rs 14 million has been allocated for the Mechi Corridor, which serves as an alternative route to the highway.

The Ministry of Finance has already released Rs 54 million required for immediate works in the current fiscal year.

With the source of funding secured, the tender process for reconstruction can now move forward. Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Kulman Ghising has instructed the Department of Roads to immediately initiate the tender process.

Heavy rainfall on October 4-5 had triggered floods and landslides in Ilam, claiming 39 lives and causing extensive damage to roads and other physical infrastructure. Following the disaster, the government had declared Ilam a disaster crisis zone for three months starting October 9.