KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that preparations are underway to bring the Korala border point in Mustang into full operation with the construction of necessary infrastructure and facilities.

PM Oli shared this information during a discussion held at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar on Monday night with federal lawmaker representing Mustang and local elected representatives from the region.

During the meeting, PM Oli recalled that he had initiated the construction of the Kagbeni–Korala road, facilitated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Muktinath, advanced the process to operate the Muktinath cable car, prioritized the development of an apple super zone, and promoted mountain goat farming.

The delegation urged the Prime Minister to reconsider the $500 royalty fee imposed on each foreign tourist entering the restricted areas of Lo Manthang and Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipalities in Upper Mustang.

They said the high fee had led to a sharp decline in tourist numbers.

They also demanded the blacktopping of the Kagbeni–Korala road section under the Kaligandaki Corridor and the construction of necessary infrastructure to fully operate the Korala border point.

Concerns were raised regarding the urgent need for customs, immigration, an integrated security post, a dry port, and other commercial facilities at Korala.

Local representatives complained that due to incomplete road access and the enforcement of restricted area rules, hotels and businesses in Upper Mustang were suffering losses.

The delegation included federal lawmaker Yogendra Gauchan Thakali, Lo Manthang Rural Municipality Chair Tasi Nhrubu Gurung, and Lopsang Chhompel Bista, among others.

While the contract for blacktopping the 97-kilometer Kagbeni–Korala road section is still pending, construction work on bridges over Tatopani Khola, Dana Khola, Panda Khola, and Tangbe Khola has been halted due to contract terminations and needs to be resumed.