Kathmandu, December 3:

Nepal and China officially inaugurated a road project, second after the Arniko Highway, to connect Nepal with the northern neighbour.

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, Minister for Physical Planning and Works, jointly launched the project amidst a function here today.

The construction works for 16 km long and 4.5 m wide Syafrubensi-Rasuwagadhi Road Project has been underway since September. Beijing will provide a grant assistance worth Rs 1,250 million for the road project that will connect Nepal with China via Kerung pass. “I hope the Chinese assistance will be used to blacktop the road,” said Tulasi Sitaula, Director General at the Department of Roads.

Jiechi said the project would be a symbol of co-operation, as it would facilitate more inflow of people and goods between the two countries. He said China as a good friend would always help Nepal keep its sovereignty and integrity intact.

Gachhadar said the project had greater importance as the government was planning to blacktop Galchhi-Syafrubenshi section of the road during the same period. He hoped that the project would accelerate the development process of the area and the country as a whole.

Syafrubensi-Rasuwagadhi road project co-ordinator Zhou Guanyu told this daily that the project could take more time if the Nepali government did not compensate the locals on time.

The affected settlements are Syafrubensi, Medangmudung, Linghling, Timure, Thattekhola and Rasuwagadhi. He said the government needed to liberalise rules for the construction.

“Rasuwa CDO will issue permits for explosive materials used in road construction every 15 days,” Zhou said.

Representatives from Nepal and China signed the agreement on the project a year ago. The project is likely to be completed in the next two years.