Kathmandu— For more than 55 years, residents of northeastern Morang and southern Ilam – as well as parts of Panchthar and Taplejung – have waited for the completion of a vital road linking Uralbari to Madhumalla, Chulachuli, and Rabi. Inaugurated in 1971 by then-minister Nagendra Kumar Pradhan, the project promised improved connectivity but has languished due to political neglect and insufficient funding, leaving communities reliant on circuitous routes through neighboring districts even to reach their local government offices.

A History of Broken Promises

The road’s construction was initially met with optimism, particularly among residents of Chulachuli and Sakphara in Ilam who hoped it would provide direct access to district headquarters. However, the project repeatedly fell outside the priorities of both provincial and federal governments. During every election cycle, political parties pledge completion of the road to garner votes, but these promises have consistently gone unfulfilled.

Local Efforts and Limited Progress

Frustrated by governmental inaction, residents took matters into their own hands in 2007, forming a consumer committee under Lal Bahadur Shrestha. Through local labor contributions and fundraising, they managed to create a rough track through the challenging Chure region, reaching Rabi by 2017. This allowed limited access for small vehicles during the dry season, even enabling an ambulance to reach Phungnam for the first time.

Monsoon Season Brings Renewed Hardship

Despite the progress made by local efforts, the road remains vulnerable to seasonal damage. The onset of the monsoon brings landslides and flooding that wash away sections of the track, once again isolating approximately 840 households in Chulachuli-6. Residents are forced to revert to traveling through Morang and Jhapa – adding significant time and difficulty to even basic journeys.

Funding Allocated But Never Spent

Dil Kumar Rai, ward chairman of Chulachuli-6, stated the road is 52 kilometers long, with around 30 kilometers within his jurisdiction. He revealed that Rs. 30 million (approximately $240,000 USD) was allocated for the project two years ago, but a contract for construction has yet to be awarded. Locals note the relatively simple engineering requirements of the road – lacking major rivers necessitating large bridges – further highlighting the lack of political will.

A Sense of Neglect

Residents express feeling overlooked by both Ilam and Morang districts, despite being geographically located within Ilam. The unfinished road has become a symbol of their marginalization, hindering economic development and access to essential services.

The future of the Uralbari-Madhumalla-Rabi road remains uncertain, with residents continuing to appeal for government intervention to finally complete the long-delayed project.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.