The government has taken initiatives to open the much-hyped Korala border point in Mustang district. The authorities started preparations to upgrade the Pokhara-Korala road and set up a Nepal Army (NA) barracks as well as a border out post in Korala area.

The government will soon hold talks with China and open the border point within a year, a high-level government team, which included three deputy prime ministers (DPM), said on Thursday after an inspection visit of Korala. DPMs trio Bijaya Gachhadar, Bhim Rawal and Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, State Minister for Finance Damodar Bhandari, former prime minister and senior CPN-UML leader Madhav Nepal, among others, were on the inspection tour.

The Korala border point will be opened permanently like Kerung and Tatopani points, the DPMs told a press meet in Jomsom. “A government team will visit Beijing soon for talks with the Chinese authorities.”

“A survey has been done to set up an Army barracks in around 1,000 ropanis of land,” said DPM Rawal, who also holds the portfolio of the Defence Ministry. “The Defence Ministry will propose the necessary budget to the Finance Ministry for establishing the barracks.,” Rawal said, adding, “We will assure China that it will be a peaceful border point.” The government has prioritised the construction of roads connecting northern border points. The roads on the priority list include Mustang-Korala; Biratnagar-Kimathanka; the Karnali corridor connecting Hilsa;, Galchhi-Syaphrubeshi-Rasuwagadhi and Kathmandu-Tatopani.

Underlining Korala as the third most important border point, DPM Gachhadar said, “The government has allocated Rs4 billion to upgrade and construct road from Pokhara to Korala.” Gachhadar, who is also the minister for physical planning, enquired about the Kaligandaki corridor with Madhav Kumar Karki, director general of the Department of Roads.