15 March 2019, Rolpa
The Madan Bhandari Folkway is to connect the territory of Rolpa, which has not been so far linked to any highway of the country.
The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has agreed to re-design the construction of the folkway to rope in Rolpa following the concern of Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun.
Earlier, the government had announced that the 1,200-km folkway would go through Pyuthan, Dang and Surkhet. With the revised design of the folkway, it would connect Gulmi, Pyuthan, Rolpa and Salyan as well.
There was massive public criticism following government’s announcement of Madan Bhandari Folkway for excluding Rolpa from the connectivity. It may be noted that the Mid Hill Folkway and the East-West Highway also excluded the district from the road network.
Vice President Pun had drawn the attention of Prime Minster KP Sharma Oli and Minster for Physical Infrastructure Raghubir Mahaseth on the design of the folkway which put Rolpa out from its coverage.
Minster Mahaseth who reached Bahadur Bhawan to call on Vice President Pun on Wednesday updated the latter on the revised design of the folkway inclusive of the Rolpa territory, said Vice President’s press coordinator Manoj Pun.
Beside Vice President Pun, Energy Minister Barsha Man Pun, parliamentarian from Salyan Tek Bahadur Basnet and Karnali State Minister Prakash Jwala were also lobbying to connect the folkway through the mid part of Rapti.
