"Before, tourists hadn't even reached Pokhara when the bumpy road had already sapped their enthusiasm. Now the ride is so smooth it feels like gliding along an airport runway. With more lanes, visitor numbers are also rising," said a Nepali tourism worker with a smile. He transports tourists along the Mugling-Pokhara Highway built with participation from CCCC.

Stretching 81 kilometers through the Himalayas, the highway is a key transport artery linking Mugling with Pokhara, a renowned trekking and tourism hub. The upgrading and reconstruction project began in 2021. After the upgrade, travel time by car between the two places has been cut from about five hours to just 1.5 hours.

The highway is expected to further boost Nepal's tourism industry and facilitate travel for both international visitors and local residents.