DOLPA: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the connecting Dolpa to the national road network was imperative for the development of the district. PM Oli, who arrived here Friday to inaugurate the Karnali Rara Tourism Year, said Dolpa district would be provided Rs 200 million in the current fiscal year to get connected to the national highway.

According to him, processing high value medicinal herbs as panch aule, and modernised horticulture could elevate the life of Dolpa people. The government was planning to shift the unsafe settlements to a safe place, raising integrated settlements, he said, adding that each local level would have a helipad, so that people in need of serious health treatment would be airlifted to better places.

He also informed the local levels that government would provide free education to the children of poor families, so they could make recommendation accordingly.

On the occasion, Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Dhan Bahadur Budha, stressed on allocating budget from central government to the development of Karnali Province. He opined to incorporate the Dolpa road section in the national pride project.

Minister of State Budha arrived in the home district for management of Prime Minister's visit in the district. Locals welcomed PM Oli at Tripurasundari Bhagwati Temple when he reached there for worship.

Defense Minister Ishwar Pokharel, Education, Science and Technology Minister Girirajmani Pokharel, Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Rabindra Adhikari, former minister Janardan Sharma, former speaker Subas Nembang accompanied the PM.