Income levels have increased in Goruchaur in Jumla following the provision of road access under the Karnali highway project. Locals worked on construction of the road, and now they are reaping the benefits: they can take their products to market and also purchase goods at cheaper prices.
Since the Nepal Army (NA) took on responsibility for construction, a 44-km unsurfaced road has been completed from Nagma. Before, animals had to be used to transport goods to Surkhet, and charges were Rs 15 per kg. Now, costs have fallen to Rs 4 per kg. "The road has made our lives much easier. Now we can transport the potatoes, apples, beans and other fruits and vegetables grown here to markets in Surkhet, Nepalganj and India," says Panna Prasad Upadhaya, a local from Kanaka Sundari. "The army has constructed the road for us, now Karnali has been declared a zone for fruits."