Contractor delays road construction in Surkhet

By Navin Subedi,Surkhet, Feb.1: The construction of a road connecting Mangalgadhi and Kakrebihar of Birendranagar in Surket has not been completed for years due to negligence of the contractor. 

The incomplete road, also a route to the famous Hindu-Buddhist temple of Kakrebihar, has adversely affected locals and travellers. It becomes dusty during sunny days and muddy during rainy season. 

Lokendra Bhatta, who had come to visit Kakrebihar from Kathmandu on Friday, expressed sadness over the condition of the road connecting the main market areas and the popular tourist destination. He questioned whether the situation was due to negligence of the government or the contractor. 

Locals are frustrated as dust reaches their houses and courtyards when vehicles pass by. Dal Bahadur Khatri, a local, said, "For more than two years, our houses have been covered in dust. When will we get rid of it?"

Amar Sisne Nepal Megha JV Nepalgunj was awarded with the contract of the construction of 2.4 kilometre road at a cost of 127.6 million on November 20, 2021 to be completed by mid-July 2023. However, even half the work could not be completed until then. 

According to the Infrastructure Development Directorate, Surkhet, only 43 per cent physical progress has been made so far. 

The provincial government has faced significant criticism due to the delay in construction. The deadline has been extended till mid-March, 2024 but no work is being carried out at present. 

Sub-engineer at the Infrastructure Development Directorate, Surkhet Prem Chandra Pandey said that the construction work was delayed due to the negligence of the construction company. He said, "Although necessary materials are in place, work has not progressed as expected. We have informed them that if the work continues to be delayed, legal action will be taken, and they have assured us that they will expedite the work soon."

Meanwhile, the construction company had already collected around Rs. 20 million. Sub-engineer Pandey said that although the locals had protested in the initial phase, there was no dispute regarding the road so far. 

Additionally, construction work of more than a dozen main roads in the province entrusted to Kancharam Construction has been delayed. The construction company belonging to Purna Bahadur Tamang (Kancharam), elected as the House of Representatives member from the Nepali Congress, took the contract for black topping13 different roads on September 2, 2021. The contract was signed with the Infrastructure Development Directorate, Surkhet at a cost of Rs. 129.4 million with a deadline of March 12, 2023. 

The contract included the construction of roads along Itram School-Traffic Office, Gharelu Office-Hotline road, Gharelu-Uphill road, Provincial Assembly-Nepal Telecom, Gurung Chowk road, Kalinchowk-Itram and others.

The construction company has only constructed drainage and graveled six roads so far. The construction of the rest of the roads has not even started.