Sick Projects

No development project in Nepal is completed on time, and it is one of the reasons for slow-paced development. Contractors' malfeasance, bureaucratic and logistic hurdles, holdups in budgetary allocations and natural disasters, among others, lead to frequent adjustments of project deadlines. Ironically, the parties concerned get engaged in a blame game, leaving the commoners high and dry. Scores of development projects, including highways, roads and bridges, are facing this predicament. The Mugling-Pokhara Road Expansion Project is a case in point. It is one of the key infrastructure projects to enhance connectivity, road safety and economic development, but it is moving at a snail's pace.

 The Mugling-Malekhu section on Prithvi Highway is also not making smooth progress.  After missing four deadlines, the Kathmandu-Madhes Expressway's deadline is set for mid-April 2027. Butwal-Narayangadh stretch of East-West Highway has been tormenting commuters for years, with the Daunne section being the major obstacle for years. During Dashain, travelers face a lot of difficulty in this section, with traffic jams running for hours. 

During the monsoon season, our highways get wrecked by rain, floods and landslides but the related authorities do not show zeal to repair them in time.  Commuters face extreme difficulty travelling on these under-construction roads, leading to many accidents. Each year, monsoon season escalates commuters' woes, when these roads become almost impassable. It's the government's duty to ensure safe travel for its citizens and for this, the roads must be in better condition.  

In a recent effort to accelerate the progress of major infrastructure projects, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Kulman Ghising, has instructed both contractors and government officials to finish the works of the Mugling-Pokhara road project in time. Infrastructure projects should be completed on time, contractors should adhere to their timeline and they should be held accountable for their lapses and failure to meet the deadlines. The concerned ministry and the officials should supervise such projects and resolve the glitches hindering their progress.

Upgrading the Mugling- Pokhara road to a modern four-lane road would link Pokhara to the western region, which is crucial for tourism promotion, as Pokhara is a major tourism hub of the country and a gateway to the trekking trails of major mountains.  As per the news report published in this daily the other dayss, nearly 88 per cent of the work of this project has been completed. Physical progress in the western section stands at 60 per cent, with financial progress at 48 per cent. The Jamune-Pokhara stretch has achieved around 60 per cent completion. In the western section, 11 of the 12 bridges have been completed, while construction of one bridge over the Seti River is underway. Of the 66 targeted culverts, 65 have been completed, along with 45.2 kilometres of drains.

When an infrastructure project does not get completed on time, it not only hurts the economy but also corrodes citizens' trust in government. The government must get tough with the erring contractors. It should terminate their contract if needed. Earlier, such contractors with political protection hardly came under scrutiny for the delays, but with the government formed as per the mandate of the Gen Z movement, things are changing for the better. The current administration must not drag its feet when it comes to maintaining fiscal discipline and good governance essential to ensure people's faith in the government and its agencies.