A road opening project from Phungling to Tiptala Bhanjyang, the Nepal-China border in Taplejung, has come to a halt for the last 18 days for want of explosives.

According to the Mulghat-Dhovan-Olangchungola Road Office, the office needs to conduct blasting in around 1.5 kilometres of the area to open the road and is waiting for explosives to arrive.

“We need to conduct blasting to carry on with our work. Nepal Army is responsible for supplying explosives,” said Rajib Lamichhane, the site manager of the construction company. “We have already notified the higher authorities to provide us with explosives and are waiting for permission to get them.”

The road has been opened upto Iladanda in Lelep, Phaktalung Rural Municipality Ward No. 6. “The work could not gather momentum, as the area is too rocky and explosives are needed to continue with the project,” said Lamichhane.

According to SBA Elite JV, the contractor company that received the road project, the road opening project will be completed within the current fiscal year if they get favourable working conditions.

“We have heard that 1,200 kilograms of explosives have been kept in Bhimkali Gulma. We are coordinating with the concerned offices for the supply of those explosives,” said Amindra Khadka, an engineer and also the chief at the Mulghat-Dhovan-Olangchungola Road Office.

Chief District Officer of Taplejung Jharendra Chapagain said the District Security Committee has also agreed to use explosives to conduct blasting for road opening purposes.

The Rs 400 million road opening project was started three years ago. The contractor had agreed to open 34 kilometers of the road track. Until now, 29 kilometers of the road stretch has been opened, said Pemba Sherpa, a representative of the contractor company.

After the completion of the project, vehicles will be able to reach Tiptala Bhanjyang, the Nepal-China border in Taplejung. The Chinese side has already connected its border with the road network.