October 18: One hundred and thirty one roads which were obstructed due to flood or landslide during the monsoon period have not yet come into full operation.    
The Department of Roads informed that these roads would be repaired to operate two-way traffic in the coming days. These roads had been opened for one-way traffic by removing the obstruction immediately after road traffic on these roadways came to a grinding halt.    
Deputy Director General at the Department, Bhimarjun Adhikari said opening the one-way traffic on the roads that are obstructed becomes the first priority as the halt in transportation adversely affects the normal life of the locals.    
He said since 'specific' works have to be carried out for repair and maintenance of the roads which are now opened only for one-way traffic, the concerned Division Road Offices will carry out such works by hiring contractors.    
Adhikari, who is also the Chief of the Roads Repair Division, shared that their priority is to first open the blocked roads for one-way traffic. The department, nevertheless, has been opening roads for two-way traffic on which there is much traffic pressure.    
According to him, there might be problem if two lanes are not operated on the East-West highway, including the Narayangadh-Butwal section. However, even a single lane can do in roads of the hill areas.    
Many roads have been damaged due to monsoon-induced disaster this year than previous years. The roads have been damaged due to heavy rain for a long period this year. The department stated that among the damaged roads, none is completely obstructed at present.    
The Besisahar-Chame road, Araniko Highway, the Galchhi-Trishuli-Mailung-Syaphrubesi-Rasuwagadhi road suffered much damage this year.    
Two hundred and twenty six roads were obstructed due to rain this year. Among these roads, 95 roads are operational for two-way traffic while 131 are opened for one-way traffic at present. -- RSS