By Lila Jhapali
Birtamod, Dec. 26: The 27-kilometre road from Jhapa’s religious and tourist destination Satasidham to Hoklabari, a Nepal-India border area, is going to be blacktopped.
Blacktopping has begun in the 19-kilometre section, from Chauri bazaar to Jhiljile, of the road.

The Province 1 Infrastructure Ministry has allocated Rs. 350 million to upgrade the road.
Province 1 Assembly member Jhalak Singh Darlami inaugurated the blacktopping on Friday.

“The road will provide a quality route for commuting to the citizens on the southern side. It will link south to the major cities and highway which will also uplift their livelihood,” said Darlami.
Darlami also informed that a budget has been requested to construct a bridge to connect Chauri bazaar to southern Kankai region. Constructing a road in around one kilometer section has been difficult to link the two places, he added.

Meanwhile, the blacktopping work is expected to be completed within six months. Locals applauded the starting of the work and have hoped to see the work completed in time.

Once blacktoping is complete, locals expect to get a huge relief from having to commute on a dusty road.
Officials from physical infrastrure department, Shivasatasi Municipality and its wards alongside public representatives were present at the inauguration.