Surkhet, April 27 -- Residents of Humla, arguably the country's most remote district, complain that a newly opened road link has brought little relief as high fares, unsafe conditions and regulatory gaps continue to make travel both costly and arduous.

Distance from Simkot, the district headquarters of Humla, to Surkhet is 334 kilometres. Yet passengers say they are paying far more than the standard rate for rural roads elsewhere in Karnali Province. The government caps fares on dirt roads in other districts at Rs10 per kilometre, but in Humla it costs nearly Rs17.5 per kilometre on big passenger buses. Those relying on smaller vehicles face even higher costs, with jeep operators charging up to Rs7,500 under the pretext of "reserve" trip...