The Khandbari-Kimathanka section of the Jogbani-Kimathanka Road, a national pride project of Nepal that will link the country to both China and India, has achieved a major breakthrough.

The Nepal Army completed the excavation of a rocky cliff to finalise the 10.5-kilometre Chyamptang-Ghongghoppa section of the road, said Deepak Khadka, minister for energy, water resources and irrigation. Also, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Devendra Dahal and Defence Minister Manbir Rai observed the breakthrough at Ghongghoppa. Khadka said that work on upgrading and widening the road would be given continuity.

The Nepal Army has completed constructing a 10.51-kilometre double lane road in this section. Additionally, the 134-kilometre road from Khandbari to Chyamptang has been built, while a 14-kilometre temporary track from Kimathanka to Ghongghoppa was already operational. The total length of the Khandbari-Kimathanka road is 158 kilometres, according to the North-South Koshi Road Project office.

“After completing the task of opening the track, now the work to widen the road is underway,” the Directorate of Public Relations and Information of the national army said in a statement issued on Monday.

Minister Khadka highlighted the road’s strategic importance in facilitating tri-national transit, linking Nepal, India, and China. He noted that the route could also benefit Bangladesh, bolstering regional trade and connectivity. Khadka urged the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure to allocate the necessary budget for upgrading the road.

Defence Minister Rai lauded the Nepal Army’s efforts, emphasising the road’s significance as a strategic infrastructure for national development. He commended the early completion of the track-opening work.

Physical Infrastructure Minister Dahal assured that the government would ensure sufficient funding for completing the remaining sections, including constructing bridges along the route.

The Khandbari-Kimathanka road is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing economic and social ties between neighbouring countries, marking a significant step forward in Nepal’s infrastructure development.