HUMLA: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has announced that the Karnali Corridor will be developed as a key trade route connecting Nepal with both China and India.
Speaking at an inauguration ceremony for a newly constructed bailey bridge in Chuwakhola, Kharpunath Rural Municipality-5, Oli said the corridor is not just important for Karnali and Humla, but holds national and international significance. He emphasized the urgent need to upgrade the road to a two-lane, blacktopped highway.
The Prime Minister also announced that a permanent bridge would soon be constructed at the Chuwakhola section of the Karnali Corridor. He expressed happiness that Humla’s district headquarters, Simkot, has now been formally connected to the national road network.
Highlighting the strategic importance of connecting Humla to tri-nation trade routes, Oli pledged to continue infrastructure works even in difficult terrains. He reaffirmed his commitment to guiding the region—and the country—towards prosperity through such road projects.
Oli further said a quarantine facility would be built at Hilsa, the border point with China, to support cross-border trade, noting the significant business potential in the area.
The bailey bridge inaugurated today was installed by the Nepal Army, which began construction on Chaitra 10, 2080 BS. To attend the inauguration, PM Oli flew from Kathmandu to Kharpunath via Surkhet on a Nepal Army helicopter and was welcomed by locals with traditional music.
Accompanying the Prime Minister were Defense Minister Manbir Rai, Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Devendra Dahal, CPN-UML Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali, Karnali Province Chief Yagya Raj Joshi, Chief Minister Yam Lal Kandel, Nepal Army Chief Ashokraj Sigdel, and senior officials from the Ministry of Infrastructure.
After 26 years of initiation, Simkot, the headquarters of Humla, has now officially been linked to the national highway system through the Karnali Corridor, a National Pride Project. According to the Nepal Army, the bailey bridge at Chuwakhola was completed on Asar 10, paving the way for the corridor to connect northern and southern transnational road networks.
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