DARCHULA: Api Himal Rural Municipality has been connected to Nepal’s road network after a roadway reached Ward No. 3, Gaudyakhola, located about 23 kos north-west of Khalanga.
The development marks a major milestone for one of the most remote local units in Sudurpaschim Province, long affected by transport isolation and high costs of goods movement.
Local residents say the road connection is expected to ease daily life, reduce transportation costs, and improve access to essential services and development infrastructure.
For years, communities in the region had relied on expensive porter-based transport systems. Locals reported paying up to Rs 10 per kilogram for goods transportation in some areas, making basic supplies and construction materials significantly costly.
With road access gradually expanding beyond Makarigad toward Bhattar and other nearby settlements, residents say there is growing optimism that the rural municipality headquarters will soon be directly connected by motorable road.
The Sudurpaschim Provincial Government has also prioritized connecting remaining unlinked rural municipalities, including Api Himal, Saipal, and Swamikartik Khapar, in its upcoming fiscal policy and programme.
The policy aims to integrate these remote regions into provincial and local road networks through sustained infrastructure investment.
The road construction is being undertaken by BNB Construction, Surkhet. According to project representatives, work is progressing with the long-term goal of reaching the municipality center at Naupata in Ward No. 4.
Construction has been challenging due to difficult terrain, although sections without rocky obstacles are now being rapidly developed.
Apihimal Rural Municipality Chair Bhaktasingh Thekare Bohora said that the road is expected to reach Kafaldhar within the current fiscal year and eventually connect to the municipal headquarters in the coming fiscal year.
He added that key infrastructure projects, including road upgrading from Paribargar to Makarigad and a motorable bridge in Makarigad, have already been contracted, with completion targets set within two years.
Officials said improved connectivity is expected to significantly reduce transportation costs and accelerate development activities in the remote Himalayan region.
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