Contractor’s negligence leaves Mid-Hill Highway in limbo

By Basudev Sharma,Jajarkot, Mar. 7: The Pushpalal Madhya Pahadi Lokmarga (Mid-Hill Highway) remains incomplete along the Kudu-Karkigaun section in Bheri Municipality-13, Jajarkot, due to contractor’s negligence. The incomplete road has been causing hardships for locals. 

Despite multiple deadline extensions, the construction work has failed to progress as planned.

The project, which is part of the government’s flagship initiatives, was supposed to be completed four years ago, but delays have forced the deadline to be extended five times. Even so, work remains unfinished. 

Sharma/Singh & Brothers JV had signed agreements with the Department of Roads in 2017 (2074 BS) to upgrade and blacktop the Kudu-Jagatipur-Karkigaun-Kanda-Jhapra section under four different packages. The first and second packages were awarded at Rs. 485.8 million and Rs. 502.7 million, respectively.

The project was initially set for completion within two years, but delays from the contractor have prolonged the construction for eight years, forcing locals to struggle with poor road conditions. 

Similarly, the third and fourth packages, valued at Rs. 421.9 million and Rs. 405.7 million, were contracted in 2019 (2076 BS) with a completion deadline of two years. However, multiple deadline extensions have not accelerated progress. 

The first and second packages have seen five extensions, while the third and fourth have been extended twice. The latest deadlines for completion were October 16, 2024 (Ashoj 30, 2081 BS) for one package and January 2025 (Poush 2081 BS) for the remaining three.

According to Amit Kumar Mandal, an engineer for the Pushpalal Mid-Hill Highway, the contractors have ignored repeated government warnings to complete the work on time. Despite suggestions and extensions, negligence and delays by the contractors continue to trouble locals. 

He added that the contractors have applied for another extension, but the government has temporarily halted further deadline extensions, making it uncertain whether an additional extension will be granted.

Purna Dev Sharma, a resident of Bheri Municipality-9, has expressed frustration, stating that Sharma/Singh & Brothers JV has neglected its responsibilities, forcing locals to suffer due to impassable roads.

Similarly, Ganesh Bahadur Basnet of Chhedagad Municipality-13 complained that despite the government’s investment of millions, the contractor’s negligence has resulted in muddy roads during the monsoon and dusty conditions in winter. 

The road section connecting Jagatipur and Bhur in Bheri Municipality and Karkigaun, Kanda and Jhapra in Chhedagad Municipality remains in a risky condition, adding to the travel difficulties faced by locals.

The Jajarkot section of the Mid-Hill Highway was opened over a decade ago, but some sections, such as the Mantar Bhir track in Chhedagad Municipality-12, remain unfinished. 

As a result, travellers heading to Dailekh must take a longer route via Chedachaur, Mork Bazar and Thalah Bazar. If the highway had been properly constructed, the Jajarkot-Dailekh travel time could have been reduced to just four hours. The deteriorating condition of the highway has also allowed transport operators to overcharge passengers.

Locals have urged the government and concerned authorities to take immediate action to resume construction and improve road conditions.