Surkhet, July 6 -- After more than two decades of effort, Simkot-the district headquarters of Humla in Karnali Province-has been officially connected to Nepal's national road network. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated a Bailey bridge over the Chuwakhola river on Sunday, completing the long-delayed link along the Karnali corridor.

Constructed by the Nepal Army in just 35 days, the bridge connects Simkot with the southern Khulalu section in Kalikot and the northern border point of Hilsa. The 505-km route now allows uninterrupted vehicular travel from the Indian border town of Rupaidiha to the Chinese town of Hilsa for the first time.

Efforts to link Simkot began in 1997 following a famine-related influenza outbreak. Over the years,...