Minister Rai inspects stranded Patrangbari Hardiya road

By Nisha Rai, Dharan, Nov.20: The road connecting Dhankuta and Morang district through Devigaun Patrangbari Hardiya road, Bishnupaduka of Dharan sub-metropolitan city-4 is being monitored as it has been left stranded for five years.

Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development Bhupendra Rai and war chair-4 of Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City Dhan Bahadur Rai, conducted an on-site inspection on Tuesday. 

Wardcahir-4 Rai said that the 17 km road connecting Dharan to Dhankuta to Morang was at a standstill, making locals suffer in health, education, agriculture, etc. during the monitoring.

Ward 4 of Dharan is located in a remote area, with a population of 3200, 2400 voters, and 800 households. 

He said that some of the local residents have to travel from Bhedetar for health and education and administrative work of wards, therefore locals were elated that the local road is being built. However, because of impeding work by contractors, the problem has become more serious.

The construction of a 17 km road through Dharan-4 Devigaun, Hardiya to Kanyapokhari was given by M/S Lumbini/Gajumukhi/Apex JV on October 4, 2019, to complete it within two years

Rai said that despite eight months being extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the contractor company has left construction work at a standstill still even after five years. The deadline for the said road project construction has been extended 3 times.

The project which was started with an investment of Rs 400 million by the provincial government of Koshi Province has now reached Rs 402,700,000 because of impending construction. 

He said all the physical infrastructures are not being able to complete on time because of negligence on the part of contractors, and that the company will be blacklisted if the company does not resume work by conducting on-site inspections in areas of complaint.