CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has remarked that Thori, a remote village in Parsa district, could be developed into a major trading route to connect Nepal, India and China.

Dahal said so during his visit to Thori on Monday. He arrived here in Thori early in the morning to take stock of the situation of the bordering village and the locals.

Recalling the unofficial trade blockade imposed by neighbouring India in 2015, Chairman Dahal thanked the locals of Thori for their support during the blockade. "At a time when the entire country was bearing the brunt of fuel shortage, the residents of Thori came to everyone's rescue. I want to thank the people of Thori," said Dahal.

He assured that the new government will develop the route connecting China's Kerung, bordering Rasuwagadhi, and Thori as a strategic highway connecting Nepal with the two neighbours. "Kerung-Thori is the shortest route to connect Nepal with India and China," he said.

He added that the new government will cooperate and take the responsibility of managing the Thori customs. "I have long been reiterating that there should be a three-sided strategy for economic development. It is necessary to adopt a common strategy to connect Nepal, China and India," he noted.  

He further added that the trade route will benefit not only the people living in the surrounding area of the border but can prove to be vital for the country’s economic development, prosperity and independence.

On a different note, Dahal said that his visit to Thori nearby Indian border and CPN-UML Chairman Dahal’s visit to Rasuwagadhi nearby China’s Kerung were only coincidental.

“Rest assured, Kerung and Thori will be connected and that will have a positive impact in the country’s development,” he told the locals of Thori.

Likewise, Chairman Dahal said that Thori Rural Municipality will be included in province-3 as per the wishes of the locals.