Lamabagar used to be a major business corridor with Tibet in the past, according to the experts. However, the government has never shown interest in developing economic and trade activities along this border.Lamabagar is the shortest route connecting Nepal with Shigatse town in Tibet Autonomous Region of China. This is the reason why people living in the districts that lie close to Dolakha, such as Ramechhap, Sindhuli and Kathmandu, used this route to import salts from Tibet.
Every year, the Department of Roads allocates millions of rupees for building roads that connect to China but that has all gone in vain. Civil society leaders blamed the local administration for lack of progress in the construction of roads that provide easy access to China.
Lamabagar border is shorter than Kodari border by 71 kilometers, according to CPN-UML parliament member, Anand Pokhrel, who is also the president of Nepal China Himalaya Friendly Society. He claimed that improved trade and economic activity through Lamabagar border can help both hills and Madhes region to flourish economically.
"Lamabagar route to Tibet is safer than Kerang and Kodari that are vulnerable to landslides and are strewn with rocks," said Pokhrel. Mijar Sherpa, a local recalled that the customs office in Lamabagar used to collect revenue before the Maoists insurgency in the country. Following the removal of this office, flow of people trekking to Tibet via Lamabagar had gradually declined.
"But locals of Lamchi village, which is situated along the Tibet border, still use the route to enter China," said Mijar. It is sad to note that the customs office displaced during Maoist conflicts is yet to be restored, according to him.
Lamabagar is a VDC located at a distance of 4.5 kilometers from Charikot, the district headquarters of Dolakha. The 38-km-long graveled road route that begins from the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project (UTHP), moves through Singati bazaar in the northern part of the district and finally reaches Lamabagar valley.
The route between Charikot and Lamabagar valley, which passes through rocky mountains, spans 68 kilometers. Though the route to Lamabagar valley has been destroyed by the recent earthquake at some places, repairs are being made to it.
Meanwhile, the UTHP has already built a road up to its dam site. The government plans to start constructing the road to Lamabagar from the UTHP dam site soon.
The negligence by the contractor has caused the annual budget allocation for the construction work freeze every year, according to Kamlesh Kumar Karn, who has just been transferred from Charikot road division office after serving three years at the place. "Building roads in the area is difficult due to rocky terrain. This is the reason why contractors fall behind in their work," Karn added.
He suggested that the government should come up with the concept of tunnel project instead of allocating Rs 20-40 million every year.
Government officials have also forwarded two options before the government to establish the linkage between Lamabagar and Tibet, either through tunnel or road. The tunnel route can be linked with Falak in Tibet since the Tibetan government has already established road. When adopted the first option, Lamabagar links with Falak in Tibet through 5-km-long tunnel. The second option to connect with Tibet is through 31-km-long road.
Pokhrel informed that China government has already signed agreements with Nepal government to unblock some borders including Lamabagar. He stressed the need to expedite the work to connect with Chinese border through diplomatic channels.
"Had the Chinese borders with Nepal been open now, Nepal would not have to face crisis due to the unofficial Indian blockade," said Hemraj Rimal, general secretary of Dolkha Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
BREAKER: Lamabagar border is shorter than Kodari border by 71 kilometers. Improved trade and economic activity through Lamabagar border can help both hills and Madhes region to flourish economically.
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