KATHMANDU, AUG 07 - After being shut for over three months, the Araniko Highway was reopened on Thursday, thanks to the joint efforts of Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Chinese Armed Police Force who cleared tonnes of landslide debris from the road. But officials involved in the operation warn threats of landslides remain high on the route during rainy season.
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The highway, mainly on the 37-km Tatopani to Khadichaur section, was badly damaged following landslides triggered by the devastating April 25 earthquake and heavy rainfalls.
“The highway passes through the difficult geographical terrain. Chances of blockage still remain high,” China’s Armed Police Force Commander and leader of the joint operation Fu Ling told a press conference after the handing over ceremony organised by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu on Thursday.
“The Nepal government should to keep a close watch on the highway,” Fu advised, explaining that the road is very vulnerable in terms of land composition and maintenance works remain a big challenge any time during such damage.
Traffic in the main arterial road connecting China and Nepal had been obstructed since the Great Earthquake. The reopening of the route is crucial for bilateral trade between the two countries as well as post-quake reconstruction of Nepal. With Tatopani Customs also remaining closed, importers had been compelled to import goods via India’s Kolkata port, paying higher transportation costs.
According to traders involved in Nepal-China trade, goods imported from China could be dearer by 20 percent during this Dashain if the customs points linking the northern neighbour are not opened in time.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wu Chuntai handed over a memento to Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey to mark the reopening of the highway at the programme. The joint team had started the road clearing operation on August 1 to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and completed the task on Wednesday.
The team cleared a total of 41 blockades, removing 150,000 cubic metres of debris and blasting off 600 cubic metres of boulders along the highway within 98 hours.
Thanking the Chinese government for support, Foreign Minister Pandey said the reopening of the highway would enhance the bilateral trade.
Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wu Chuntai reaffirmed China’s commitment to continue support to Nepal in the days ahead. “After clearing this blockade, we will focus on second and third steps that will be the maintenance and upgradation of the highway. We have already decided to do this to further our friendship, trade and tourism,” he said.
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