Mid-Hill Highway brings connectivity & prosperity to Tehrathum

KATHMANDU: Tehrathum, a hilly district in Koshi Province, is experiencing significant progress in transportation accessibility thanks to the Mid-Hill (Pushpalal) Highway.

Of the highway’s total length of 1,879 kilometers, 117 kilometers pass through Tehrathum.

Entering the district at Majhitar on the Tamor River in Atharai Rural Municipality-6, the highway connects key areas, including the historic educational hub of Chuhandanda, the ancient trade center of Sankranti in Atharai, Fedap, the district headquarters Myanglung, and the scenic tourist town of Basantapur.

Initiated in the fiscal year 2007/08 (2064/65 BS), the highway has significantly improved transportation services for the district’s residents.

Before its construction, locals in Atharai faced the arduous task of carrying daily necessities, including food, on foot from Fidim in neighboring Panchthar district.

A journey that once took a full day has now been reduced to just an hour, according to Narendra Ingnam of Atharai.

Similarly, administrative and other essential trips to Myanglung, which previously required a full day of walking, now take only three hours by vehicle, shared Rohit Kandangwa, Ward Chair of Atharai-1.

The highway has directly linked Atharai, Phedap, and Laligurans Municipalities with the district headquarters, Myanglung, while making travel more convenient for residents of other municipalities as well.

Additionally, the highway has facilitated the transportation of local produce to external markets and district hubs, said Rajiv Dhungana, President of the Tehrathum Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Stretching from Chiwabhanjyang in Panchthar to Jhulaghat in Baitadi, the Mid-Hill Highway has already seen over 24.4 kilometers of its section in Tehrathum paved with blacktop.

However, a 24.4-kilometer stretch from Yabra-Panchami to Khorangwa Khola in Fedap Rural Municipality remains unpaved.

Of this, blacktopping is underway for 10 kilometers, according to Raj Narayan Sardar, Engineer at the Mid-Hill Highway Fidim Office in Panchthar

. The remaining sections face delays due to budget uncertainties, he added.

The completion of this highway is expected to further enhance connectivity, trade, and development across Tehrathum and beyond.