Phungling (Taplejung), 2 February: A motorcycle journey has been made to Tiptala Bhanjyang in Taplejung, which is at an altitude of 5,100 meters above sea level. Last Wednesday, Chandra Mabo made the first motorcycle journey to Tiptala Bhanjyang.
The national pride project, Tamor Corridor, connects Nepal with India and China. This corridor, which starts from Jogbani in India, connects with Tibet in China. After the Bolero vehicle that reaches Olangchungola, the border area of China, was recently put into operation, the motorcycle reached Tiptala Bhanjyang by crossing an additional 24 kilometers of difficult mountain road.
Tashi Sherpa, a local and executive member of Olangchunggola, Faktanglung Rural Municipality-7, said that even though cars had already reached Tiptala, this was the first time that a motorcycle had completed the journey. He said, “Motorcycles had reached Olangchunggola, but they had not been able to reach Tiptala Bhanjyang.”
According to motorcycle rider Mabo, it is very difficult to ride a motorcycle from Sukepani to Olangchungola. It becomes even more complicated above Olangchungola. He said that since it is a high mountainous area, oxygen is low, the cold is extreme, and the power of the motorcycle decreases, making the journey challenging.
He said, “I have heard that the general public has not traveled to Tiptala Bhanjyang by motorcycle until now. If so, then I will be the first person to travel to Tiptala Bhanjyang, which is at an altitude of 5,100 meters, by motorcycle.”
The success of the motorcycle tour in Tiptala Bhanjyang, which is located at an altitude of 5,000 meters, will promote tourism in the area, said Rajan Limbu, chairman of Faktanglung Rural Municipality. According to him, the Tiptala area is a tourist destination as well as a commercial center. Limbu says that it will become a new destination for adventure tourists who are visiting this area for the first time on a motorcycle.
On the way to Tiptala Bhanjyang, one has to travel uphill via Mowatar (4,200 meters). Driver Aitaraj Thebe said that it is difficult to drive cars and motorcycles due to the rough roads in the area. Thebe said that there is a risk of vehicles slipping due to the snow on the road, so one should travel carefully.
Locals are happy after Nepali vehicles and motorcycles reached Tiptala, which connects Nepal and China’s autonomous region of Tibet. Local and former ward chair Cheten Sherpa said that for the first time since the construction of the track along the North-South Highway, Nepali motorcycles reached Tiptala Bhanjyang last Wednesday.
The district residents are excited after motorcycles and cars reached Tiptala. Locals of Olangchungola, Yangma and Ghunsa in particular are hoping that the road expansion will make transportation easier. The expansion of this road has increased the possibility of connecting India, Nepal and China. The border with Tibet is connected to Tiptala through the North-South Highway from Biratnagar Rani via the Tamor Corridor. This 292-kilometer-long road is considered the shortest route connecting India, Nepal and China.
