SURKHET, Oct. 26 -- Sixty-one-year old Bhim Bahadur Budha of Dharepani is on cloud nine after his village got access to road network. The locals do not have to walk for over five hours carrying heavy loads any more to reach the market place in Bhotechour. Earlier, he used to visit the market twice or thrice a week carrying heavy loads of fruits and vegetables.

"I used to carry beans, bitter gourds, potatoes and other vegetables to the market. Since there was no transportation service, I had to walk for hours and the route was risky," he said.

Farmers like him had no option than to get through the steep mountain slopes to reach the market with their products. And while returning back, they used to bring home daily essentials.

"We used t...