The villagers in Olangchungola, Taplejung, are excited about the prospects of having a road connectivity with Tibet.

The road, connecting Tiptala Bhanjyang of Olangchungola with Tibet, is expected to complete within a week. Gunsa Dawa Lama, a former employee of the District Development Committee, said once the road is open, the villagers can easily transport daily essentials from the Chinese market.

It will also increase the trade between the two countries, he added.

People living in border areas of Taplejung buy their daily essentials, including rice, salt and oil, from Riu Bazaar in Tibet. They, in turn, export herbs and carpets.

So far, Lama said, they have been travelling by foot to reach Lachiphungchung in Tibet before taking vehicles to reach Riu Bazaar.

The new road extending all the way to Tiptala Bhanjyang will cut the travel duration and make it easier for the people to ferry heavy loads, said Cheten Walung, an Olangchungola trader.

Walung said now that the Chinese side has brought the road up to border, the Nepal government should also take the initiative to construct a road on the Nepali side, saying that they still have to walk for almost a day just to reach Tiptala Bhanjyang.

 Sonam Walung, who is in the Olangchungola-Tiptala Bhanjyang Road Construction Committee, said the Tibetan administration would provide excavators and other equipment to build a road if the government asks.