MANGALBARE, ILAM: A fast track connecting Ilam Bazaar to the Tarai has been opened.

The construction project of the 10-kilometre new route from Golakharka Bhanjyang to Belase via Bhangtar and Rakase has been completed, reducing the distance to reach Birtamod of Jhapa from here by 39 kilometres.

People now have an alternative to the existing 86-kilometre route to reach Birtamod via Mechi Highway. Now, Birtamod is reachable from here via a shorter route measuring 47 kilometres and it only takes an hour's travel instead of about three hours in the past.

The project was implemented under the Infrastructure Development Programme last year and it cost about Rs 1.5 million received under the programme and 250,000 provided by the District Coordination Committee.

Under the Strategic Road Plan, Rs 10 million has been allocated to further upgrade the route, said Ilam Municipality mayor Mahesh Basnet.