Samanantar Nirman Sewa Private Limited established in 1991 has accomplished over 200 small and big projects until now. A few months ago, the company was awarded a prize of Rs. 20 million for completing a construction project before the given deadline.
Achyut Prasad Kharel, chairman of the Company, has been in the construction sector for over 25 years. He talked to The Rising Nepal about the role of the contractors in the overall development of the nation. Excerpts:

You have been in construction business for over two and a half decades. How is your experience until now?
I have been in this business for over 25 years. We have completed over 200 projects until now. If I look back at the days when we started, there were a lot of hindrances that a contractor had to go through. There was no working concept. The persons, companies or authorities, who would contract with us, were not well aware about construction. Also, technologies and competent professionals were lacking. But over the years, the construction sector has been flooded with competent professionals and technologies, and the scenario has changed now.

What role do the contractors play for the overall development of the nation?
Undoubtedly, contractors have a big role in the development of the nation. None of the developmental projects can move forward in absence of contractors.
The future of the nation, in a way, lies in the hands of the successful contractors. If the contractors do not fulfill their duties and responsibilities by being faithful towards the nation, the future of the nation will be dark.
The financial progress and development of the nation is entirely connected with the contractors and the construction business. The contractors are the medium to flow the cash from the government to the market.
Therefore, availability of competent contractors is important to implement the development projects that the government prepares for the development of the nation.

What are the major challenges of the construction sector?
The construction sector is not free from challenges. There are lots of challenges. Firstly, the nation lacks competent and skillful tech-professionals. The problem of brain-drain has hit the construction sector hard as all the knowledgeable and skillful manpower are fleeing the nation in the hope of getting better jobs abroad.
Secondly, the cash-flow procedure of the government is lengthy and time consuming. This, in a way, prevents the contractors from completing the assigned work in time.
Also, in Nepal, the design of infrastructure, its construction and its supervision is done by separate authorities. This creates a huge confusion between the designers, contractors and supervisors, thereby affecting the infrastructure that has been constructed.

What can be done to overcome these problems?
It is high time for us and the government to enforce design-build construction system. In design-build system, the design and construction services are contracted by a single entity. This system is being followed worldwide. This reduces the communication gap between the designers of the development projects and their builders, the contractors. Also, it will accentuate the professional capacity of the entire contracting entity.
The government, on the other hand, should cooperate with the contractors to facilitate the construction of infrastructure. The government should clear the construction sites and fulfill all the procedures like land acquisition, clearing sites and so forth, to ensure an apt working environment for the contractors.

What are the reasons behind the delay in completing most of the development projects?
I believe only 10 – 15 per cent of contractors in Nepal are not following the financial discipline and delay their work on purpose. The rest 85 per cent of contractors have to face various challenges while carrying out their works. The major problem is untimely clearance of site and ambiguous drawing designs.
As the contractors stand in the front row, they have to face all the allegations. But it is because of the delay in governmental procedures, lack of communication and coordination between various departments within the government, the contractors fail to complete their work in time.
It doesn’t take much time to complete our work; it is a long way procedure that is time consuming. The government, therefore, should provide a good working environment for the contractors.

How often do locals cooperate with you when constructing a project?
When we carry out developmental projects, locals are the ones who are to be benefitted the most from it. But they can also be the victims if the government acquires their property. They do not cooperate with us when the government does not compensate them in time after acquiring their land. This is also one of the factors leading to delay in completing construction. The government should, therefore, increase the pace of their procedural work.

How often do the contractors receive threats from locals?
Previously, we used to get numbers of threat from people. At times, they would also tear our tender documents and would not let us bid. The E-bidding system enforced by the government has simplified the bidding procedure for us.

What projects are you proud of?
I have been in this business for over 25 years. Every day, I go to work with the same enthusiasm. I am proud of every project that our company has undertaken over the years. To name a few, we associated with the projects such as construction of the President’s Office, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Central office of Nepal Rastra Bank, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the office of Attorney General.
Most of our projects are Kathmandu-centric because we operate full set-up that is required for construction. This way, we are able to cater quality service at feasible prices.

You have been awarded for completing your work before deadline. Has it motivated you?
Well, not much, availability of a favourable working environment over monetary prize will motivate a contractor like me to work more for the development of the nation.
Even if our work gets delayed, in more than 85 per cent of time, it is not because of contractors’ glitches. Therefore, it is not required to be happy if we finish the work in time or even before time and are rewarded. Neither should we be sad if the work gets delayed.
The government instead should make the contractors realise their responsibilities and duties. Nearly 80 per cent of the problems will be solved if the government abides by design-build delivery service.

How will the society view the contractors in next 5-10 years? What is your say?
The society has a negative view towards the contractors. Contractors are viewed as those who are unqualified and who are not capable of doing any other job. The reality is opposite.
The contractors are the ones who invest 60 per cent of the total budget of nation. Development of the nation is in the hands of the contractors.
In the current scenario, the construction business is in a transition phase. Qualification has started playing an important role for anyone who is associated with this business. Also, the construction companies have started hiring qualified engineers and management officials. The entire construction business is in the verge of being filtered.
5-10 years down the lane, contractors will hold a significant place in society. As Nepal is a virgin land, there’s a lot that we can do here. A lot of infrastructures are yet to be built.
Hence, the future of both, the nation and contractors, is bright. I feel proud to be in this business.

Lastly, what suggestion would you like to give to other contractors?
All of us must be accountable towards the laws and the government. All contractors should be responsible to their work, should stay within their financial discipline and should fulfill their duty.
Also, everyone should develop a corporate culture within their office to cope up with the competition. Each and every worker, from an office boy to the chairman, should have the feeling of ownership of the construction company they are working with.
Endorsement of Information and Technology and new systems is also important for a company to grow in today’s market. Contractors should provide proper management and development trainings to their employees in order to increase their efficiency and expand their business.
(Presented by Sampada Anuranjanee Khatiwada)