Chandra Mabo, first person to ride motorcycle to Tiptala Bhanjyang

PHUNGLING: Chandra Mabo has traveled to Tiptala Bhanjyang on a motorcycle, with claims to be the first person to do so. Tiptala Bhanjyang in Taplejung is 5,100 meters above sea level.

The place can be now reached via the Tamor Corridor that connects Nepal with India and China. This corridor starts at Jogbani in India and connects with Tibet in China. Recently, a jeep had reached Olangchung Gola, the border point with China, and Mabo rode an additional 24 kilometers to reach Tiptala Bhanjyang.

Tashi Sherpa, elected representative of Faktanglung Rural Municipality-7, said that this is the first time that a motorcycle journey has been made to Tiptala.

According to motorcycle rider Mabo, it was very difficult to ride the motorcycle from Sukepani to the Olangchung Gola section. He said that since it is a high mountainous area, oxygen level is low, extreme cold and the efficiency of the motorcycle decreases making it a challenging journey.

Rajan Limbu, Chairperson of Faktanglung Rural Municipality, said the success of the motorcycle trip to Tiptala Bhanjyang will help promote tourism in the area.

The district residents are excited after motorcycles and vehicles reach Tiptala. Especially the locals of Olangchung Gola, Yangma and Ghunsa hope that the road expansion will make transportation easier.

The expansion of this road has increased the possibility of connecting India, Nepal and China. Tiptala is connected to the border with Tibet through the North-South Highway from Rani in Biratnagar via the Tamor Corridor.

This 292-kilometer-long road is considered the shortest route connecting India to China via Nepal.