Insufficient budget raises concerns over progress of ‘Special Priority’ Tinkar road project

Darchula: Locals have demanded an increase in the budget allocated for the Tusarpani-Chhangaru-Tinkar road in Darchula, which is being constructed under the management of the Nepali Army.

Residents of the border area have urged authorities to revise the budget allocated for the upcoming fiscal year 2083-84, stating that the current allocation will be insufficient. A total of Rs 129.9 million has been allocated for the Tusarpani-Chhangaru-Tinkar road for the upcoming fiscal year.

Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle had stated during his budget speech that the Darchula-Tinkar road has been placed under ‘special priority’. However, the Nepali Army has maintained that Rs 300 million to Rs 350 million annually is required for the road’s construction.

Locals expect that the strategically important Tinkar road will gain momentum after the formation of the new government. The Nepali Army began construction of the 79-kilometer road from the Tusarpani zero point in Byas Rural Municipality-3 to Tinkar in the fiscal year 2077-78. So far, around 20 kilometers of track has been opened, with vehicles reaching Dumling in the first week of Jestha.

Hemendra Bohara, a local of Byas Rural Municipality-1, said that although the project has been given special priority in the budget speech, the completion timeline may be extended due to the limited allocation. He added that due to the lack of road access, citizens of Changaru and Tinkar still depend on India for transportation, food, and employment.

There remains 59 kilometers of road construction in the Changaru-Tinkar section. Locals say that at the current pace and budget allocation, there is uncertainty over whether the road will reach Tinkar within a reasonable timeframe. Due to the lack of road connectivity, residents are still compelled to seek permission from India to move within their own national territory.

Yogesh Singh Bohara of Byas-1 Changaru stressed the need to address the expectations of residents of Changaru and Tinkar. Associate Professor Padam Wadal of Darchula Multiple Campus stated that resources under federalism should be distributed in a balanced and proportional manner.

The road, which falls under the Mahakali Corridor and passes through Brahmadev, Dadeldhura, Baitadi and Kanchanpur to Tinkar in Darchula, is 413 kilometers long and is intended to connect the Tinkar border crossing with China. Once completed, it is expected to become the shortest and safest route for pilgrims traveling to Kailash Mansarovar, while also boosting tourism and the use of local resources such as herbs and destinations like Api Himal.

Vice Chairperson of Byas Rural Municipality, Binod Singh Kunwar, said that although the project has been declared a special priority, the current allocation is not encouraging. He stated that the army has demanded at least Rs 30 to 35 crore annually for rock cutting and helicopter transport of equipment.

Out of the total 334 kilometers under the Mahakali Corridor Road Plan, 247 kilometers have been opened, while 47 kilometers have been blacktopped. According to Project Engineer Dinesh Raikhola, 228 kilometers still remain to be blacktopped. The government has allocated a total of Rs 394.2 million for the Mahakali Corridor Road Project in the coming fiscal year.