-Hemanta KC
Jajarkot, October 21: Jajarkot district is poised to make a stride in construction and expansion of roads in a short span of time as more and more new roads are being built and getting connected to the regional and national road networks. The district was isolated as recent as five years ago in absence of good roads and connectivity with the regional and national road network.
Minister for Forest and Environment Shakti Bahadur Basnet told the National News Agency (RSS) that the district could leverage the road expansion for its economic development. Minister Basnet shared that many roads such as Jamunah-Chinchu-Jajarkot-Dolpa linking China (Bheri Corridor), Mahakali Highway (Pushapalal) linking Jajarkot to Rukum East and West and Dailekh, Chinchu-Jumla-Rara Road linking Jumla with Salyan, Jumla and Mugu, Lumbini-Rara Road linking Jajarkot with Lumbini, Dang and Mugu pass through the district making once-isolated Jajarkot now the centre for road network among other districts in Karnali State.
All 13 model villages in the district will be also be linked with road network, said Minister Basnet, adding that construction of new roads, up-gradation and expansion of already built roads were being accelerated to give development activities in the district an impetus. Blacktopping of Chinchu-Jajarkot road section has already been carried out while process has been initiated for blacktopping of Pachkatiya-Khalanga road section while Mid Hill Highway towards Jajarkot is being blacktopped, informed State Assemblymember, Ganesh Prasad Singh.
He is also hopeful at the local produces would get access to markets due to these roads. Furthermore, expansion of electrification in the district was also helping Jajarkot change its face. Three sub-stations would be built in the district as per the action-plan of Minister Basnet, said Nepal Electricity Authority’s Jajarkot Distribution Centre Chief Lok Bahadur Khadka. Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Nalgad Electricity Project was in the final phase.
The project will generate 410 MW additional electricity. Work relating to the construction of sub-stations with 400 KV transmission line to be built at Daanipipal of Nalagad-7 has already begun. Stakeholders opine that in this pace, Jajrkot could achieve cent per cent electrification and road coverage within three years. Nalgad municipality Mayor Tek Bahadur Rawal said the local government had laid various plans including declaring pocket areas and zone for Sichuan pepper, garlic and honey and orange in order to boost the local trade and facilitate marketing of the local produces. RSS
