Plan to Concretize Everest Expedition

China is set to startle the whole world with its declaration of attempting to build a metallic road to the Mt. Everest base camp.

Though the world is stunned enough with its declaration just at the time of Olympics, but it has also invited howls of protests from environmental activists and caused muted security anxieties in New Delhi, India.

The construction of the 108 Km road to a height of 5200 meter will begin within a week. It has been said that the work will be completed within four months, like most of the Chinese projects. Its estimated cost is 19.7 million dollars. China's plan is to transport the Olympic torch to this point from where the Chinese runners (mountaineers) will carry it to the Everest. It will be the longest torch rally in the history of Olympics, which would be a 137000 Km, 130 day route covering all five continents and the world's tallest peak. The proposed road will link Tingri county of Tibets Xigaze Prefecture, lying at the foot of the mountain to the base camp. Announcing the project, the Chinese official Xinhua News Agency hoped the new highway would become a major route for tourists and mountaineers.

China's plan to undertake this grand construction suggests that its leaders might have discussed the project with Nepal, which shares Mount Qomoloangma, as the Everest is known locally, with China. But it's not known whether the issue has been discussed with India or not.