PANCHTHAR, July 9 -- The blacktopping of roads connecting rural areas of the district has started through a joint initiative of the federal and provincial governments.

Most of the roads in the district are muddy so far, and vehicles operate with extreme difficulty in these roads.

Most of the roads except some sections of the Mechi Highway and Pushpalal Highway (also known as the Mid-Hill Highway) are earthen roads. Till now, 96 kilometers of the Mechi highway and 19 kilometers of the Mid-Hill Highway have been blacktopped. Additional 131 kilometers of roads will be blacktopped within the next few years, as per the government plan.

About 64 kilometers of the 100-kilometer-long Ranke-Bhedetar road falls in Panchthar district. The road se...