The completion of the Kaligandaki Corridor Road has significantly transformed travel and transportation for residents near the Kaligandaki River in the districts of Baglung, Parbat, and Gulmi. Once a lengthy journey involving rural roads and multiple bus rides, the new corridor has shortened travel time and cut down costs for locals.
Sujata Thapa, a resident of Jaimini Municipality-1 in Baglung, recalled how she used to travel to Butwal via a three-hour bus ride to Baglung Bazar, followed by an overnight stay and further travel the next day. This journey, which included the longer route through Pokhara and Syangja, often took an entire day and cost around Rs 1,700. Now, thanks to the new road, the trip has been shortened by nearly 100 km, drastically reducing both fare and travel time.
The new Kaligandaki Corridor Road, which forms part of a tri-national route connecting China and India, has become a vital infrastructure project for residents. The 435-kilometer corridor connects Sunauli in India to the Korala border in China, benefiting 1 million people across 10 districts of Nepal with direct access to the national road network.
In addition to reducing travel time, the corridor has improved local living conditions. For Prakash Dhungana, a resident, the new road has made it easier for people to visit hospitals, purchase goods at better prices, and simply travel between towns.
The 60-kilometer section of the road running through Baglung is set for an upgrade, which is expected to be completed by mid-December 2025. Once finished, this upgrade will further enhance connectivity for Jaimini, Balewa, and Bareng municipalities in Baglung, as well as Kaligandaki Rural Municipality in Gulmi, and Bihadi and Phalebas municipalities in Parbat.
