Everest attracts thousands of tourists each year. It is a mountaineer’s heaven. In the present context, it is not possible to reach Everest via road. The only way is to trek—or book expensive flights to Lukla.
But in the Fiscal year 2014, Nepal Government decided to start a new project planning to create a new highway linking to Mount Everest. Also, this roadway will connect Nepal with China.
After completing the proposed road, it will be accessible to go to Everest via Kathmandu-Phaplu-Chaurikharkha—near Lukla.
Construction Work Happening Near Chaurikharkha. Picture: Surendra Phuyal.
Department of Roads deployed Excavators and Bulldozers six years ago to Phaplu, with the hopes of completing the project in time. Sadly, that did not happen. In 2015, Nepal was hit by a massive earthquake, which delayed the construction project.
After electing a new local government in 2017, glimpses of the project’s revival is now visible in the region. Khumbu Municipality is now directing to work with full potential near Chaurikharkha.
However, according to the Chief Administrative Officer of Khumbu Municipality, the municipality is now going penniless, and it is unsure that the project will get completed. But the good news is that Province No. 1 Government has promised to lend budget for the highway construction.
The road will not touch Sagarmatha National Park and reduce the dependency on one of the world’s most terrifying airfield—Lukla Airport.
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Still, the locals are not convinced by the Government’s promise because they believe this project will devastate nature.
The Expense of Nature: A Misfortune?
Although the local and central Government promises not to damage the region’s natural environment, the construction will still damage the serene beauty to some extent.
Local Sherpa’s fear this will also create havoc in Everest. The trash will also increase with the flow of people to Everest Base Camp.
Sherpa collecting Trash Cans in Everest. Picture: Namgyal Sherpa.
For example, after investing in piles of money on the Annapurna Circuit, it has attracted bikers. But it has emptied the trekking route before the road’s construction, thousands of tourists used to trek there. Nowadays, trekking has become less popular there.
The Government has promised the road will not decrease trekking, climbing activities in the Everest region. This means the people who are heavily lying on this business will not have to lose their jobs. However, the locals have a fear of having the same condition as the Annapurna area.
Transportation Facilities to the Everest: A Fortune?
After the road’s completion, people who are heavily lying to transport the goods on mules or yaks can also use trucks. The goods available in the Everest region will also get cheaper.
It will not take days to unload the goods. The road also will link Nepal to China, which means import-export will also get easier in the third pole.
Yaks Carrying Cooking Gas Cylinders To Lukla. Picture: Nepali Times.
For a cooking gas cylinder, people of the Khumbu area are expending more than ten thousand. But when trucks reach there, prices will be dropped.
Poor people will also get facilities to reach hospitals in time. The road can lift the living standard of locals, attracting more tourists through the roadway.
In Conclusion
Roads are the cheapest way of transportation. People who have a tight budget, dreaming of reaching the Everest base camp, can bus. But the road will not hinder those who have much time and wealth to spend.
All in all, roads are the indicator of a Nation’s growth. Without roads, people’s standards can not grow. With projects like these, poorer will not always remain poor. Though, with the people’s flow, the harmony of nature can get imbalanced. But it doesn’t mean it will destroy it.
