MUSTANG: Minister of Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal has arrived to inspect and monitor the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road project, a national pride initiative aimed at connecting the north-south trade corridor.

Minister Lamsal, who traveled via the Beni-Jomsom highway and stayed in Lete, Thasang Rural Municipality-3 of Mustang on Friday, is accompanied by Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Paudel (Ganess), alongside representatives from ministries and various departments.

According to Project Chief Tejashwi Sharma, the high-level delegation’s visit aims to evaluate the road’s progress and assess local tourism potential. During the visit, a strategic discussion was held regarding the construction of necessary infrastructure along the Jomsom-Korala section, attended by former Member of Parliament Prem Prasad Tulachan.

In the meeting, Minister Lamsal directed officials to immediately fast-track the tendering process for five crucial road bridges along the Korala stretch. Project Chief Sharma briefed the minister on the upgrading of the Jomsom-Kagbeni road and the current blacktopping progress on the Kagbeni-Chhusang section.

The government has allocated Rs 3.15 billion for upgrading and blacktopping the 50-kilometer road section from Chhusang to Ghami in Mustang. Minister Lamsal’s attention was drawn to the urgent need to accelerate these upgrades up to the Korala border point, as the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) for that segment has already been completed.

During the field inspection, the ministerial team interacted with locals about the condition of roads and bridges, who raised concerns over the recurring annual threats posed by landslides, flooding, and erosion from the Kaligandaki River.