Fines to contractor if Narayanghat-Butwal road not completed in time: Minister Ghising

By Bom Lal Giri, Nawalpur, Dec 21: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Kul Man Ghising has warned of fines to the contractor if the expansion and upgrading of the Narayanghat-Butwal road section along the East –West Highway is not completed in the lately fixed deadline.

"There is some improvement in the construction works, particularly in terms of speed, but it is still below satisfactory level, said Minister Ghising, "Contractor of the project, China state engineering corporation Pvt. Ltd. has committed to complete entire works and hand over the project. Deadline will not be extended after July. If works not completed in time, contractors will face fines."

Minister Ghising said so while inspecting the road section at Daunne on Saturday evening.

The deadline as extended for the third time expires on 23 July and the contractors has said that so far 77 per cent of works has been complete.

Although one way road upgrading works has been complete in other places, in Daunne where the road is uphill, there is much to do. Bridge construction at Kerunge in Kawasoti, Chormara and Aarunkhola is yet to complete.

Minister Ghising asked the contractor to address the complaints of the passengers about difficulties in Daunne.

As the workers were seen with mobile torch standing at roadside, it looked that they were asked by contractors to keep working until the Minister comes for inspection. Although Minister Ghising tried to check works by getting off the vehicle time and again and found the workers working, it was also seen that the workers would cease to work and then move toward their homes after the Minister inspected their works.