Goods transportation to Panchthar, Taplejung obstructed

By Narayan Tumbapo,Phidim, June 24:Transportation of goods to the northern areas of the Panchthar district and in the entire Taplejung district has been obstructed after a flood washed away the motorable bridge over the Hewa River five days ago.

The bridge over the Hewa River along the Phidim-Taplejung section of the Mechi Highway was destroyed by the flood triggered by incessant rains on June 17 and 18.

Transport services to Yangawarak, Hilihang and Phalelung rural municipalities of Panchthar have been completely halted, officials informed.

Moreover, seven of the nine local levels of the Taplejung district have been affected as the transportation of people and goods has stopped.

Locals informed that the market was already facing a shortage of basic goods such as salt, sugar, rice and oil among others. It is estimated that the supply of around 10 tonnes of goods to the areas has been obstructed on a daily basis.

“Every day, five tonnes of goods used to be transported to Phungling, the district headquarters of Taplejung, alone.   Other local levels of the district procured all the goods from Phungling. However, the damage along the highway has obstructed the transportation of goods leading to scarcity of food in the remote areas,” said Narayan Thapa, chairman of Taplejung’s FNCCI.

Thapa also informed that the goods stocked in Phungling can only last for the next nine-ten days at most. “Only 120 cylinders of LPG are left,” he added.

Panchthar FNCCI chairman Nabaraj Ghimire informed that the scarcity was similar in the district.

“The farmers of the northern region of Panchthar are also unable to sell vegetables worth around Rs. 1 million daily,” said Ghimire.

The obstruction of the highway has also affected transport operators and employees.