Construction of a foot trailto Muktinath in full swing

Jomsom, November 2

Construction work on a foot trail with railings to Muktinath, a holy religious site in the Himalayan district of Mustang, is now in full swing.

The work, which was halted for a few months due to differences between the locals, the Muktinath Temple Preservation Management Committee, the construction company and the local administration over the construction of the foot trail, is now in full swing.

The Beni-Jomsom-Korla Road Project of the Kaligandaki Corridor under the Road Department had provided Rs 10 million for the construction of a foot trail stairway from Muktinath Purang Ranipowwa to the last second gate from Muktinath Gate to the temple premises.

Khinga Construction Pvt. Ltd. had signed a contract at the cost of Rs. 6.9 million to build a foot trail from Ranipowwa to Muktinath Temple. The construction company has stated that the construction work has been affected due to a lack of consensus among the stakeholders on the design of the foot trail.

According to Lakpa Tasi Gurung, proprietor of Khinga Construction Company, the company has directly started the construction of the foot trail.

According to the curved design of the foot trail to Muktinath temple, the length has been fixed at 335 meters, but after the last agreement among the stakeholders, it has been reduced to 305 meters from the first gate to the second.

According to Buddhi Oli, ward technician of Waragung Free Zone Gaonpalika-1, the work of foot trail has progressed by 40 percent, and the remaining work is targeted to be completed by mid-November.

Pilgrims used to have a hard time reaching the Muktinath Temple, a famous religious site in Mustang, which even the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited. Pilgrims and tourists visiting Muktinath will be very comfortable if the construction of 'Foot Trail' to Muktinath is completed.

Image Courtesy: Sundar Kumar Thakali