Foundation stone laid for Pathibhara cable car amid protests

The foundation stone for the cable car leading to Pathibhara Temple, a famous religious shrine in Taplejung, was laid on Friday. Member of the Constituent Assembly Dumbardhwaj Tumbahamfe and Mayor of Phungling Municipality Amir Maden jointly laid the foundation stone at Kaflepati, the starting point of the cable car construction, after performing a worship ceremony.

Indra Kedem, head of the construction company Himalaya Construction, shared that the foundation stone was laid amid cheers for Pathibhara Devi, with political party representatives and local residents present. “We have laid the foundation stone for the cable car construction in the presence of all the district’s political party representatives, the mayor, people’s representatives, and locals. Now, the work will proceed at a fast pace,” said Kedem, the company’s owner.

Mayor Maden emphasized that the Pathibhara cable car is not just for one company but is connected to the broader economic, social and cultural development of Taplejung district. “It will be the cornerstone of the economic prosperity of Taplejung and Koshi province as a whole,” he said.

Rudra Paudel, a board member of the cable car company, stated that the trees in the construction area were cleared, and the foundation stone for the cable car was laid on Friday. Paudel also informed that the cable car will be ready for operation within the next 15 months. “This cable car will promote tourism, create jobs, maintain environmental balance, and contribute to economic and social development,” he added.

However, the construction attempt was met with conflict at Tallo Phedi in Phungling municipality, where protesters threw stones at the site. Police responded with a baton charge, resulting in several minor injuries among the protesters. The situation is now under control, according to Koshi Province’s DIG Chandra Kuber Khapung.

The Nepal government approved the project in 2018, and the National Planning Commission declared the cable car a national priority project following a recommendation from the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration in July 2018.

Since the announcement of the Pathibhara cable car project, Indigenous communities and activists have led an opposition campaign. Indigenous lawyer Shankar Limbu even filed an appeal with the Supreme Court against the project being developed by the IME Group, to no avail. Opponents argue that the project will primarily benefit investors, not local communities. While developers claim the project will provide employment opportunities for locals, critics contend that this will not compensate for the significant economic losses to porters, small business-owners and others.