While some Tarai districts are under curfew imposed by the administration, others have been reeling under shutdowns enforced by agitating parties, blocking the flow of goods between Tarai and hills.As a result, hill districts such as Panchthar, Taplejung, Terathum and Ilam are already experiencing shortage of essential items. As major festivals draw closer, locals are even more worried over the growing shortage of daily supplies.
According to Mitra Prasad Kafley, chairperson at Panchthar branch of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI), scarcity of daily goods has been escalating in the district and the situation could become worse if the problem was not resolved without further delay.
"Grocery stores are running out of food supplies and hardware shops are running short of construction rods, cement and zinc sheets that are essential in building houses," said Kafley.
Amid such situation, the locals have called for the completion of the under construction mid-hill highway, which they believe would offer an alternative route for the flow of goods and people.
Although there are numerous dirt tracks and graveled roads that lead to eastern districts, during monsoon they become unusable. "Locals will have to wait for another two years to be able to use the highway with full satisfaction," said Senior Engineer, Saligram Regmi.
At present, poor conditions have rendered 20 kilometer road section of Terathum district unfit for the movement of buses and other means of transportation.
"Given the significance of mid-hill highway, we should put pressure on the government to complete it as soon as possible," said Tekendra Kangbang, a local from Thupra VDC.
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