Pappu’s incomplete projects stand as eyesore

By Raman Paudel,Kathmandu, Jan. 21: Many people who had seen an under-construction bridge on the side of the Bagmati River at Tinkune, Kathmandu, a few years ago had expected an end to traffic jams over the existing single bridge. But their hopes were dashed when the bridge structure was removed instead of being completed. 

A similar scene can be noticed in Kalimati where a complete bridge has been blocked citing that the bridge was built without meeting the required standards. 

These two bridge projects tell many things about the execution of development projects in Nepal. When development projects fall into the hands of the wrong contractors, not only the people suffer but also the economy. 

Pappu Construction inked an agreement in 2011 for the bridge over the Bagmati in Tinkune.

After the company failed to meet the standards and complete the work even after extending the deadline multiple times, Pappu Construction was blacklisted by the government, culminating in the termination of the agreement in 2016. A new agreement was signed with YP Kirateshwor JV in 2018 to complete the bridge. However, a dispute erupted regarding the design and maintenance of the project, resulting in further delay in building the bridge.

Lalijan Khanal, Chief of the Bridge Division of the Road Departments, said that after Pappu Construction was blacklisted a new company was hired through a new contract process. 

However, the new company, YP Kirateshwor JV, also did not accept the previous structure, and the project got stalled, said Khanal.

“We are planning to terminate the contract with YP Kirateshwor JV as well because the company is claiming that they cannot work in the previously designed foundation. That should have been said before the pre-bidding meeting; now we will call for a new contract soon,” said Khanal.

Khanal said the construction company should have conducted field research before the pre-bidding meeting.

Similarly, a bridge over the Bishnumati River connecting Teku and Kalimati was completed in 2018, but is not usable due to the substandard materials used in its construction.

A technical monitoring team of the Bridge Division under the Department of Roads revealed that substandard materials were used in the construction of the bridge.

Pappu Construction has abandoned not only these two bridges but dozens of other construction projects in the middle. The country has lost at least Rs. 18 billion in these projects left in limbo, said an official of the Department 

of Roads.

According to the Department, Pappu Construction inked agreements to build several roads and bridges from 2011 to 2018.

However, most of them remain incomplete even today. According to the Department, the company was handling the construction of 29 roads and 31 motorable bridges as of 2024. Most of them have failed to meet and maintain quality standards, said an official of the Department of Roads on the condition of anonymity.

Even after being put on the blacklist, Pappu Construction joined hands with Mahadev Khimti Company and started a 724.8 m motorable bridge on the Postal Highway in June 2012.

A few months later, Pappu Construction left the project known as the 2nd longest motorable bridge. Mahadev Khimti is managing this project as a single contractor currently.

According to the Department of Roads, Pappu Construction has abandoned at least 14 projects worth billions of rupees along the Postal Highway during 2012-2018. Despite facing penalties and criticism, Pappu Construction has not stopped making attempts for new projects. In collaboration with other companies, it is working on several projects even now. 

“We can’t stop them while they work abiding by legal procedures.  Pappu Construction has been blacklisted for several projects. But still, it is working abiding by laws and regulations,” said Arjun Aryal, Joint Secretary and Deputy Director General at the Departments of Roads.

In recent years, Pappu Construction has been filing one case after another against the Department of Roads after the government blacklisted the company for not working as per the agreements.

An official speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “Filing cases has become a routine for the contractors. We have to cancel the delayed projects and open new biddings.” 

Officials at the Department of Roads said that the government was terminating the problematic projects with Pappu Construction. Against these actions, Pappu Construction also opposes the government.  Meanwhile, Pappu Construction Company’s investment in the Beni-Mustang Road project has been revealed.

“There are two road projects in the Beni-Mustang area. Pappu is also working as a secondary contractor, but it is not working as expected,” said project chief Dhruba Kumar Jha.

The Department of Roads cannot move forward now ignoring the cases pending in the court.