Gorkha, November 5 – Residents of the remote Chumanubri Rural Municipality in northern Gorkha are facing significant financial hardship as the price of essential goods, particularly salt, has soared to as much as 200 rupees per packet. While salt typically retails for 30 to 35 rupees per kilogram in accessible markets, the lack of road connectivity in the high-altitude region has made transportation costs prohibitively expensive. The Salt Trading Corporation (STC) sets the official price for iodized salt at 26 rupees per kilogram, with other varieties priced between 9 and 20 rupees. However, these prices do not reflect the reality for residents in the Manaslu region. In the border villages of Samagaun and Samdo, a single packet of salt costs 200 rupees. Local resident Nima Dorje explained that the high cost is primarily driven by transportation logistics. “It costs 100 rupees just to transport one packet of salt from Pangsing to Samdo,” Dorje said, noting that additional costs are incurred during the transit from Arughat and Arkhet to Pangsing, compounded by a retail markup of 5 to 10 rupees. The price varies depending on the remoteness of the settlement. In Lho (Ward No. 2), salt costs 150 rupees per packet due to an 80-rupee-per-kilogram transport fee. In Bihi (Ward No. 5), prices fluctuate between 100 rupees in winter and higher rates during the monsoon season when transport costs rise to 70 rupees per kilogram. Similar price spikes are reported in Prok, Chule, Nile, and Chekampar, where residents pay between 100 and 200 rupees per packet. To mitigate these costs, the government provides a transportation subsidy managed by the STC. Sagar Serchan, the STC Gandaki Province Chief, stated that 350 quintals of iodized salt were dispatched to Sirdibas this fiscal year at a rate of 28 rupees per kilogram, with the government covering the transport costs for contractors. However, residents argue that the subsidized salt rarely reaches the most remote villages. Pasang Phunjo Lama of Chekampar noted that the subsidy only covers transport as far as Jagat. From there, it takes three to four days of travel by mule to reach the upper villages, forcing locals to bear the full burden of high transport fees. Infrastructure remains the primary obstacle. While the Nepal Army is working on the Benighat-Arughat-Larke road project, progress has been stalled by budget constraints and funding issues. Currently, motorable roads only reach Pangsing. Beyond this point, mules remain the primary mode of transport for essential goods. Even in areas like Philim, which is closer to the road network, the price of salt is double the standard market rate due to the cumulative costs of transit from Arkhet.
Article source: Gorkhapatra National Daily | Image credit: Gorkhapatra National Daily