Khotang, Nov 17 : The Diktel-Halesi section of the mid-hill highway has been blacktopped. The 36-km roadway was blacktopped with the financial assistance of the Asian Development Bank.    
    
Project chief Bijay Kumar Thapa said the roadway was widened and pitched with the cost of Rs 48 million. Although it was planned to complete in three years, it was delayed by two years. The contracting company informed that it took time to complete the road in the stipulated timeframe because of the 2015 Gorkha earthquake.    
    
Locals here are elated over the latest development for they believe that it would further facilitate in transportation of daily consumable goods as well as for movement of human traffic from Kathmandu and other various districts in Terai.    

The road that has come into operation since 2007 used to be operative throughout the winter and remained closed for six months during the monsoon.    
The pedestrians are also happy due to the improved road condition for they no longer have to suffer dust blowing out of the road during the dry seasons and the muddy road during the monsoon.    
Local consumers said that with the upgrading of the road, the price of the goods has slumped slightly as it has reduced the transportation cost considerably. 

   
The Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' had made an on-site visit of the road that links Bhojpur to Kimathanka. He had instructed the contractors for its timely completion.