This is the fifth trimester report of the DFID-UK Aid funded Rural Access Programme Phase 3 - Mugu Humla Link Road Project (RAP3-MHLR) since the start of the project implementation (29th October 2018). The report covers the period of 1st March to 30th June 2020. This report summarises the information presented in the project’s monthly reports from the trimester, in particular the key achievements, results and issues experienced. It also provides additional information and data on the project that was not relevant for inclusion in the monthly reports, or which it is too onerous to collect on a monthly basis.
Project Reports

- 14 members of staff remobilised after Dashain and 9 after Tihar, to resume work along the MHLR alignment. PST leads and field staff remobilised after Tihar and Chhath to carry out work in the Covid 19 response component.
- 6 Excavators mobilised in this reporting period, mostly for log-management.
- During the festivals, the assigned local staff cared for the field offices and stores along MHLR to ensure safety.
- The Independent Verification Team have completed their visit of the MHLR alignment.

- We have secured permission from the CDO, Municipalities and Wards to resume work immediately after Dashain.
- Excavators, tippers and backhoe stopped work on October 11 for Dashain.
- During the festival, assigned local staff cared for the field offices and stores along MHLR to ensure safety.
- 4.00Km surface improvement work is complete.
- The Healthy Workforce Team continued Outreach Clinic at Bama, Mugu, providing health check-ups to 4 machine operators and helpers. They visited 4 RBG households and conducted orientation on Covid 19 prevention and symptoms.

- With the lifting of most travel bans, and securing permissions from the district and local governments, field staff have started mobilising to Mugu and Humla on 26th September, taking necessary precautions. We have secured permission from the CDO, Municipalities and wards to resume work.
- Local staff continue to care for the field offices and stores along MHLR. Seven excavators are working on road widening and surface improvement works along with one backhoe and two tippers.
- 3.43KM surface improvement work is complete.

- Following the lifting of a 4 months long nationwide lockdown in late July, the Federal Government has delegated management authority to the local Governments and the District Administration Offices (DAO). Further, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an order to DAO to not issue travel permits resulting in strict inter district travel restrictions, affecting field team mobilisation.
- Local staff continue to care for the field offices and stores along MHLR. Seven excavators are working on road widening and surface improvement works along with one backhoe and two tippers.

- The nationwide lockdown imposed since 24th March was lifted from 22nd July with precautionary safety measures in place including GON request to work from home where possible. Inter district travel restrictions also remain in place affecting field team mobilisation.
- Local staff continue to care for the field offices and stores along MHLR. Some work activities (by excavator and S/RBGs) have continued under strict social distancing. Staff work and progress is supervised by the management through virtual meetings and electronic means.
- The Remobilisation Plan is being revised to reflect the latest Government instructions, DFID’s SEAH policy and Covid 19 SOP requirements.

This is the fourth trimester report of the DFID-UK Aid funded Rural Access Programme Phase 3- Mugu Humla Link Road Project (RAP3-MHLR) since the start of the project implementation (29th October 2018). The report covers the period of 1st November 2019 to 29th February 2020. The report summarises the information presented in the project’s monthly reports from the trimester, in particular the key achievements, results and issues experienced. It also provides additional information and data on the project that was not relevant for inclusion in the monthly reports, or which it is too onerous to collect on a monthly basis.

This is the third trimester report of the MHLR project since contract signing (29th October 2018) between DFID and IMC Worldwide Ltd for RAP3- Mugu Humla Link Road Project implementation. The report covers the period of 1st July 2019 to 31st October 2019. The report summarises the information presented in the project’s monthly reports from the trimester, in particular the key achievements, results and issues experienced. It also provides additional information and data on the project that was not relevant for inclusion in the monthly reports, or which it is too onerous to collect on a monthly basis.
The baseline plan for physical and financial results is taken from the forecasts presented in the previous Trimester Report (March ’19 to June ’19).

- The 110th International Women’s Day was celebrated at Bama Village on 8th March in Mugu with 195 local women and 26 men. The participants were from FCHVs, Mothers’ Groups, Women RBG members, MHLR team, local Elites and Local Elected Representatives. A small event was held in the office in Kathmandu on Friday 6th.
- Snowfall continued up to the 21st of March inhibiting works progress. 138 S/RBGs and rock drill groups (64 RBGs, 71 SRBGs, and 3 drill groups) were engaged in structures work and rock cutting.
- The critical section at Dhandhuska near Janche was opened as was a few meters at the end point in (Deuli) to join SSDR. Agreements have been reached with house owners and Rural Municipality for the dismantling and relocation of houses at Deuli that are too close to the cut slope of the road.

- Snow still continues to severely impact on works progress, with limited activities being confined to lower altitude sections.
- 133 S/RBGs and rock drill groups (64 RBGs, 65 SRBGs, and 3 drill groups) are engaged in structures work and rock cutting.
- 1 chainsaw group is engaged on Humla side for tree management.
- 12 Excavators are engaged in track opening and widening.
- Fuel stocks are approximately 30k litres.

- Snow continues to severely impact on works progress, with limited activities being confined to lower altitude sections.
- 129 S/RBGs and rock drill groups have been mobilised for structure works and critical rock section at Dhandhuska cliff above Jaanche settlement.
- Fuel stocks are approximately 50k litres.
- Healthy workforce health, safety and sanitation programme: 21 events for 216 male and 162 female participants.

- Field level activities have been concentrated in the lower altitude section on Mugu side as snow along other sections is too deep for safe access and working.
- We have engaged with ex-RAP3 communities in Kalikot and Bajura to seek additional labour to cover the shortage of supply from Mugu and Humla. Early snowfall means their mobilisation will be deferred until February / March once the worst of the snow clears.
- Two of the 11 excavators are no longer working – one left to take up other work opportunities, one contract was terminated by RAP3 MHLR due to non-compliance with the hire agreement and code of conduct (working for others while contracted by us and stirring up conflicting views within the local community).

- Technical training for all MHLR field staff has been conducted, including practical demonstrations. The training addressed the key issues found during internal audits.
- All field level activities restarted, with 64 RBGs (1277 members) and 36 SRBGs (518 members) remobilised.
- Mugu Karnali river level has lowered sufficiently to allow tractors to pass allowing transportation of materials in Gamgadhi stores to reach site.
- The steep and rocky section at Jaanche (Ch58) continues to cause problems and delay track opening works progress. Labour rock breaking groups have also been mobilised to try to expedite works.

- Site closed and field team demobilised for festivals.
- Internal workshop held 23-25 October: 23rd Graduate Engineer’s workshop and annual reviews. 24th separate team workshops (maintenance, construction, admin and finance) focusing on technical and management issues. 25th full team workhop focusing on risk management and safeguards. These included discussion on problem areas identified through field observations and internal audits, proposed solutions and draft action plan. Workshop procedings being drafted.
- Annual Environmental Monitoring Report submitted to Department of Forest and Soil Conservation and copied to Ministry of Forest and Environment, Divisional Forest Offics of Mugu and Humla and Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Karnali Province.

- 3.5m track opening has halted at Janche Khola (Ch58) due to one rocky outcrop and one very hazardous section where extra protection measures (structures between works and houses) need to be installed before works can continue.Fuel stock is approximately 41,600 litres. Transportation of fuel will continue after Tihar to replenish stocks before the anticipated winter road closure.
- Draft Technical Notes on key Road Alignment Design features, Excavator Management, and Construction of Road Structures have been shared with DFID. Final checks and revisions are being made before sharing with DoLI.