GANDAKI: Chief Minister (CM) of Gandaki Province, Surendra Raj Pandey, expressed the government’s commitment to opening the Korala border crossing with China and underscored the need for rapid infrastructure development in the area.
Located near Pillar No. 24 on the Tibet-Mustang border, Chief Minister Pandey conducted an on-site inspection and noted that while infrastructure appeared to be in place on the Tibetan side, corresponding facilities on the Gandaki province’s Mustang side needed urgent attention.
He emphasized the importance of having necessary infrastructure in place for immigration, security checks, and customs to avoid potential issues in the future.
Currently, the customs and security checkpoint is situated nine kilometers below Pillar No. 24.
To facilitate regular traffic, the government is prioritizing the upgrade of the road leading to the border crossing, he said.
Chief Minister Pandey acknowledged the joint efforts of both the federal and state governments in this ambitious project.
He expressed concern over the slow progress due to the construction industry’s pace and pledged to exert pressure for faster completion.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal previously had positive discussions during his visit to China about opening the Korala border crossing; however, the exact opening date remains uncertain.
Chief Minister Pandey assured that discussions were ongoing with the Union Government, the Prime Minister, and relevant ministries to expedite the process, emphasizing the collective commitment to the initiative.
Chief Minister Pandey, along with Members of the House of Representatives Yogesh Gauchan and Members of the Provincial Assembly Namdu Gurung and Bikal Sherchan, participated in the inspection.
A delegation comprising the Chief Secretary Pandey, Vice Chairman of Provincial Policy and Planning Commission, and heads of provincial security agencies visited over ten border area villages to engage with local residents.
The visit provided an opportunity for Chief Minister Pandey, elected representatives, and locals to discuss the progress of provincial government initiatives, the allocated budget for the current year, address local concerns, and explore avenues for improvement, officials said.
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