By Smita Adhikari, Pokhara, June 7: The government of Gandaki State is preparing to locate the border pillars present at the Korala border point in Mustang. For this, a Border Outpost (BOP) of the Armed Police Force (APF) has been set up in the area this week.

As informed by Hari Bahadur Chuman, the State’s Minister for Law and Internal Affairs, the BOP had been established in a place called Nechyung, about eight kilometres from Lo Manthang and 1.5 kilometres from Korala.

He also informed that the State government was preparing to build an APF barrack near the BOP.

The border point connecting Nepal’s Upper Mustang with China’s Tibet was historically used for salt trade. It was, however, closed in 1960 due to Tibetan guerrilla activity but opens on special occasions with consent from the locals of Jongwah, Tibet, for local business purposes.

After the trade treaty with Tibet, Nepal had placed numerous pillars demarcating the border. But no historical documents have been found detailing the number of such pillars or their whereabouts.

So, Gandaki is about to look for them. After the pillars are located, the government has stated that the area of the border would be calculated.

The location and security of the pillars is part of Gandaki’s State Pride Project, said Minister Chuman.

Under the project, various infrastructures will be constructed for the security of the North-South lifeline extending from Korala to Pokhara and from Pokhara to Dumkibas via Triveni.

The aim is to improve trade relations with China and secure border crossings with Tibet. The lifeline has been defined to strengthen Nepal's cooperation with both India and China.

“Everything will move forward rapidly as soon as the federal governments gives permission,” said Minister Chuman, adding, “Work on other infrastructure works is underway and the setting up of BOP and constructing a road to Korala have been completed.”

At the moment, the newly established BOP has 25 armed policemen and some staff. They will only inspect the border for now. After establishment of the barracks, initiatives will be taken to establish offices like customs and immigration. The State government informed that this would cost roughly Rs 2 billion.