Simikot, the district headquarters of Humla, is set to have a road link to China, as construction works along the Simikot-Hilsa road are gaining momentum.

Of the 95 kilometres of track, 70 kilometres of road section from Hilsa on China border to Simikot is already operational.

Construction of the 18-kilometer track that connects Simikot with the northern Hepkakhola in Simikot Rural Municipality was completed a few months ago.

Officials of the road project said once the remaining seven kilometres of road section is constructed, Simikot will be connected with Hilsa through road.  According to the road project, vehicles can ply the road up to Kermi village in Humla after the construction of a bridge over the Karnali river at Tumkot in Namkha Rural Municipality.

Bijaya Bahadaur Thapa, an engineer, said small vehicles have started plying the 70-km road section.

Padam Bahadur Lama, chairman of Simikot Rural Municipality, said people have started transporting daily essentials from Tibet.

“We hope business activities with Chinese side will be eased after the completion of the road project,” said Thapa.  Road project officials hope that vehicles will start reaching Simikot by mid-September.