Kathmandu, Dec. 23 -- Six years after Nepal and China signed an agreement to upgrade the strategic Syaphrubesi-Rasuwagadhi road, construction work has yet to begin, prolonging disruptions at one of Nepal's most important northern trade corridors.

The delay has also kept the Rasuwagadhi border point largely non-operational, compounding economic losses for traders, transporters and local residents.

The 15.5-kilometre Syaphrubesi-Rasuwagadhi road stretch is to be upgraded to a two-lane road with Chinese grant assistance. The agreement was signed in 2019, but progress has stalled due to the Covid pandemic, administrative hurdles, and repeated natural disasters. Officials say preparatory work is finally under way, with full-scale constructio...