Private sector concerned over cable car protests in Taplejung

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb. 5:  The private sector’s umbrella organisations have expressed serious concern about the ongoing protests against the cable car construction project in the Pathibhara shrine of Taplejung district. They have urged an immediate halt to the ongoing strike, which has affected life since Tuesday last week. 

Issuing a joint press statement on Tuesday, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) said the ongoing strike in the districts of Koshi Province against the project has disrupted educational, economic and social activities causing unprecedented sufferings to the common people.

Vehicles have remained off the Mechi Highway for over a week due to the strike called by groups opposing the project. 

It said that such activities would disrupt the investment-friendly environment for the development of the country's infrastructure.

"The private sector plays an important role in the overall economic development of Nepal. The investment made by the private sector in various infrastructure development and service sectors, including industry, trade, banking, energy, agriculture, tourism, communication and others has contributed significantly to the prosperity of the country. However, the recent activities that are being carried out to stop development work have sent a negative message to domestic and foreign investors willing to invest in Nepal,” read the joint press statement.

“We urge the concerned stakeholders to be serious about this issue and create an environment where development work can be carried out without hindrance.”

The private sector has already invested billions of rupees in tourism and is providing direct and indirect employment to thousands of Nepalis, added the statement.  

The tourism infrastructure to be built in Pathibhara (Makkumlung) will provide safe, fast and convenient travel to the elderly, persons with desirability, children and others who want to go to the shrine, it said. 

According to the statement, the obstruction in development is not only an opposition to a single project, but also creates a situation that disrupts the investment-friendly environment  in the country and sends a negative message to investors investing in Nepal. 

Similarly, private sector asked the local communities, concerned bodies and stakeholders to positively accept the development effort and to move the Pathibhara (Makkumlung) cable car project forward smoothly, stating that the problem could be solved through negotiations.