MANGALBARE: The construction of a fast track connecting Ilam Bazar to Jhapa’s Birtamod has been completed. With the construction of the 10-kilometer project from Golakharka Bhanjyang to Belase via Bhangtar and Rakse,  people have now an option to the existing 86-kilometer route to reach Birtamod via Mechi Highway.

With this, people can opt for the shorter route of 47 kilometers to reach Birtamod in an hour. It takes nearly three hours to reach Birtamod from Ilam via Mechi Highway.

The project was implemented under the Infrastructure Development Program last year at a cost of around Rs 1.5 million. The District Coordination Committee had provided Rs 250 thousands for the project. Under the Strategic Road Plan, Rs 10 million has been allocated to further upgrade the route, according to Mahesh Basnet, Mayor of Ilam Municipality .