Silichong Rural Municipality in Sankhuwasabha recently got connected to the road network.

A track from Heluwabesi to Tamku, the administrative centre of the local body, has opened. With the construction of the 20 km long Heluwabesi-Tamku road, villagers are happy, hoping that the roadway will bring development in the area.

“It took years to open the track because of the difficult rocky terrain. The Rs 4 million road project was constructed with the help of local labour,” said Ram Bahadur Kulung, chief of the local body.

Though the road project started around five years ago, it remained incomplete for several years. The rural municipality prioritised the project soon after the people’s representatives were elected in 2017. It allocated a budget by forming two consumers’ committees to accomplish the much-awaited development project.

Prem Kumar Rai, chairman of one of the consumers’ committees, said it was difficult for them to open the track in rocky Dumma cliff because of the rough terrain.

The rural road, however, has yet to come into operation.

“We cannot run vehicles on the road during the rainy season. Once the monsoon is over, we will start operating vehicles,” said Kulung.

The track opening will help carry out other infrastructure development projects, locals and municipality officials say.

“The Health Ministry has allocated Rs 30 million to build a health post in the rural municipality. It will be easier to transport construction materials now that the road has opened. Otherwise, a large amount of budget would be spent in using porters to carry materials,” said Kulung.

Local farmers are also optimistic about finding a market for their products.

“Before the road construction, we did not get a good price for our agricultural products. Now we can take fruits, vegetables and other products to the nearest markets,” said Jaya Kumar Rai of Mantewa.

Silichong is famous for its orange production. With the opening of the road section, farmers hope to find suitable markets for their citrus fruit.