Food crisis worsened in FWest

Shivaraj Bhatta

DHANGADHI: Transportation services have been halted in far-western region, as the roads damaged by the landslide have not been repaired yet. This has led to shortage of daily commodities and medicines in the seven hilly districts of the region.

Roads linking Sanphebagar-Bajura, Sanphebagar-Mangalsen, Satbajh-Darchula and Khdape-Bajhang were damaged in the landslide this monsoon. Chetman Kadayat of Malika Transportation said goods meant for Binayak, Kamalbazar, Bayalpata, Jayagadh, Darna and Mujabazar have been stored in Sanphebagar. Even the medicines meant for Accham District Hospital are stored in Sanphebazar, he added. Foodstuff has not reached the Kolti area of Bajura district. Kadayat added, ‘’About 10 trucks of daily commodities meant for Bajura are stuck in Sanphebagar.’’

Talking over phone, a businessman of Kolti, Lal Bahadur Bohara, said there was scarcity of essential items in the area, as the transportation has been halted for more than five months. Though mules are being used to ferry goods, the supply is not sufficient to meet the huge demand. Bohara added, “Ferrying stuff on mules costs a lot. A kilo of salt costs Rs 45 in Martadi.’’

Pushpa Kunwar of Malika Distributors said, “The businessmen are paying Rs 35 to ferry a kg of goods from Sanphebagar to Kolti on mules.’’

Bishnu Buda, a resident of Kolti area, said, “We do not even have salt.’’ More than 10 link roads of the district have been obstructed due to the landslide.

Khopade-Bajhang stretch on Jayaprithivi Bahadur Singh Highway in Baitadi district has also been halted for long. Local businessmen said there was shortage of essential items in the rural areas of the district. Businessmen blamed the road division offices for the crisis.

Manoj Shrestha, chief of Road Division Office, Doti, who was on Dashain leave, is yet to rejoin duty. There is only a peon in the office.