Fungling (Taplejung), 24 January: The operation of Nepali vehicles in the Tiptala region of Nepal, which borders the autonomous region of Tibet in China, has opened the door to new possibilities. After the repair of the Tamor Corridor, vehicles including jeeps, tractors and others have started reaching Tiptala regularly via the unpaved road.
The easy access to the Tiptala area has had a positive impact on tourism promotion. According to Cheten Sherpa, ward chairman of Faktanglung Rural Municipality-7, with the road repair, many travelers have started coming by car to visit the Tiptala area. This section, which was previously considered a difficult journey, has now become easier to travel through, and the arrival of domestic tourists has increased.
The section from Lelep of Faktanglung Rural Municipality-6 and Olangchungola of 7 to Tiptala has become operational after potholes were filled, humpipes were installed, and river and creek sections were repaired. The journey from Phungling to Tiptala and back has now been possible in three days. A team of businessmen led by Narayan Thapa, President of the Taplejung Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has traveled between Phungling and Tiptala within three days. According to President Thapa, there is a possibility of regular business activities being conducted on this section. Although there are problems with water and mud in some places, the overall journey is easy.
According to Phupulhamu Shrestha, a member of the executive committee of Faktanglung Rural Municipality and a local of Olachungola, where regular transport is being operated to Olachungola, earlier it was a huge expense to transport necessary materials, but now it has become easier for vehicles to reach the village.
According to Ward Chairman Sherpa, although vehicle operation is possible only in the dry season, if a concrete bridge is constructed on the main part of the Tamor River, easy movement can be possible even during the rainy season. Ward Chairman Sherpa said, “Once bridges are constructed in the Sukepani, Jongin and Phedi areas, it will be possible to reach Tiptala permanently.”
According to Rajan Limbu, chairman of Faktanglung Rural Municipality, the contract process for the construction of a bailey bridge in Sukepani has already begun. If motorable bridges are built in the Jongin and Olangchungola areas, the Tiptala region can become a hub for tourism and trade. A meeting between the Dingzi County government of Tibet and security officials in Taplejung also indicated that more opportunities could be created in the region.
The government is preparing to move forward with the proposal after the Tibetan government expressed its interest in blacktopping the road from Tiptala to Phungling. According to Taplejung Chief District Officer Netra Prasad Sharma, Tibet has promised to blacktop the road if the proposal comes through government-to-government cooperation. The operation of vehicles up to Tiptala has highlighted the development and potential of the remote areas of Taplejung. It is expected that this area will be established as a tourism and trade center through road repair, bridge construction and international cooperation.
