Nepal-China highway reopens

Traffic on Arniko Highway, the oldest and shortest route that connects Nepal with the neighbour China, has resumed.The highway was closed for maintenance after it was damaged by two earthquakes in 2015. The official relaunch ceremony of the highway was held in the capital Kathmandu last week in the presence of government and Chinese embassy officials. Those present included Nepal’s Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Ramesh Lekhak, ministry of physical infrastructure and transport secretary Dhana Bahadur Tamang and Chinese ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong The Nepal government appreciated the assistance and continued support of China in the re-opening of the highway that highly contributes to the socio-economic development of the Himalayan country.Secretary Tamang said, “The damage of this highway by the earthquakes and monsoon rain had been critical for the movement of goods and people from one country to another. After maintenance work, it has been again possible to reinstate the original service on the highway.”The repaired highway has been expected to revive the economy and normal activities of locals of Sindhupalchowk, China bordering district.Arniko Highway was built in 1960s with the support of Chinese government. The 115km long road is the historical route that connects capital city Kathmandu with Nepal-China border at Kodari.The highway was the lifeline for cross-border trading and for thousands of locals living in the region until it suffered severe damage in the devastating earthquakes of 2015. Though the highway was repaired twice with the support of Chinese armed police after the disaster, it could not operate well due to fragile geography, especially torrential rainfalls and frequent disasters like flood and landslides.The current maintenance project has been carried out by the China Railway Bureau 14 in five sections of highway. It took five and half months for the Chinese company to make the highway ready for the smooth transportation.The Chinese government has pledged to continue its support for post disaster reconstruction of Nepal.“We are committed to provide assistance for Nepal’s post-disaster reconstruction in five sectors namely infrastructure, livelihood in mountains, cultural relics renovation, disaster preparedness and health. Strengthening connectivity and mutual co-operation under One Belt One Road initiative are common wishes of both countries”, ambassador Yu Hong said at the function.Since the Arniko Highway was closed after the disaster, Nepali traders were using the Rasuwagadhi border point for cross-border trading.