NATIONAL 6 -(Spotlight Weekly)]

Another Way To China

As the volume of Nepal-China trade increases, the two countries agree to construct another road through Rasuwamadhi

By A CORRESPONDENT

Nepal and China have agreed to build a road linking Syaprubesi of Rasuwa district and the Kerung Pass of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Unlike in 1962, when all the major powers opposed Nepal's move to build the strategic Kathmandu-Kodari highway, no foreign government has directly opposed the move this time around.

Himalayan frontier : Difficult to access

But building the road along the rugged mountain pass -- which is described as one of the most difficult parts of the world -- is not going to be any easier.

At a time when the trade volume between Nepal and China is increasing manifold, policy makers have realized the need to open another road to Tibet. Before the inauguration of the Kodari highway, the Kerung Pass was the busiest point on the Nepal-China border.

After the completion of proposed Kathmandu-Rasuwamadhi road, it will be the first road in Nepal which will link Tibet Autonomous Region through a road built by India. It will be the first time a Chinese road would connect with an Indian-built road through a portion constructed by Nepal.

Before connecting to the Trishuli, the Rasuwamadhi Road will have to cross the 62 km Trishuli-Syaprubesi road constructed by the Royal Nepalese Army.

If work proceeds without interruption, the construction of the road will be completed within three years. "If the Chinese side wants to, the road can be completed even before that," said a senior official at the Department of Roads.

The Kerung Pass was traditionally a major trading point between Nepal and Tibet. It was virtually closed down following the opening of Kathmandu-Kodari highway, the only road linking the Tibet Autonomous Region of China with Nepal.

After nearly 40 years, Nepal and China have realized the need to open alternative roads to expand their trade relations. The length of the proposed road is about 135 km. It will pass through the all-weather Trishuli road and Trishuli-Rasuwamadhi gravel road.

Although the proposed road will be longer than the 113-km Kathmandu-Kodari road, it will provide easy access to the Tibet market.

During the visit of Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Chinese government agreed to Nepal's proposal to build the road linking Rasuwamadhi and Syaprubesi. The Chinese will construct the 22 km portion between Syaprubesi and Rasuwamadhi.

According to the Department of Roads official, the Chinese will have to build a 26-km portion within their country to connect with the closest road in China. The road will be built under a turn-key project and the Chinese will bear the entire cost.

The road will also help Nepal to supply food grain to the remote northern districts of the country.

The Chinese side has already submitted a detail survey of the project to the Department of Roads. According to the survey report, the Chinese have also emphasized that the construction of the road would help expand bilateral relations.