Pokhara, May 19

Public transportation resumed on the 14-km road from Maldhunga of Parbat to Takuri of Baglung after Chief of Army Staff Rajendra Chhetri inaugurated the road yesterday.

Chhetri said at a programme organised in Balewa Airport of Baglung that he was very happy that the work, completed by Nepali Army personnel, had finished on time. He added that developmental works would be completed on stipulated dates if the army was given responsibility.

The Nepali Army was entrusted with the responsibility of completing construction works along the corridor of Baglung, Gulmi and Palpa road sections with an estimated budget of Rs 51 crore.

Chief Army Engineer Resmi Raj Bhattarai said the army is preparing to have public vehicles ply on all road sections of the corridor running from Takuri to Palungkhola by next year.

Sources said that the shortest north-south route connecting China and India will be constructed after the completion of the 225 KM road from Gaindakot to Baglung, and the 190-km road from Baglung to Korola.

Stakeholder Committee’s Tikaram Dahal said emigration will fall after local commerce and agriculture grow once the corridor opens.

The corridor will promote tourism in the area because religious and historical places in Palpa, Gulmi, and Dhaulagiri will become more accessible to tourists.

The corridor links religious sites such as Ridi, Rudrabeni, Ranighat, Ramdi, Muktinath, Galeshwor, Baglung Kalika, and Gupteshwor.