Taplejung, July 22

Olangchungola, in the north-eastern part of Taplejung, and northern neighbouring country China are now connected through road.

The construction of the road, which started some seven months ago from Tiptal, a Nepal-China border point, was completed yesterday after the road reached Olangchungola.

The same day vehicles from the Chinese contracting company arrived in Olangchungola carrying heavy equipment, including excavator, after opening of the road track.

Locals are elated with the access to road transport.

More than Rs 30 million was spent to construct the 30 km road from Tiptal to Olangchungola, the nearest human settlement area on the Nepal side.

Chairman of the road consumers committee Chheten Balung said the local Balung community had contributed Rs 25 million for the project, and the remaining amount was managed through the parliamentary development fund and then-VDC office.

Meanwhile, the construction of the 41 km road stretch from the district headquarters Phungling to Tapethok of Phaktanglung Rural Municipality has been completed.

The construction of the remaining 35 km track will connect Olagchungola with Phungling.