Raw material dearth delays Mungling–Malekhu road

By Shaligram Nepal,Chitwan, Jan. 19: Road construction under the Nagdhunga–Mungling Road Project (Western Section) has been affected due to a shortage of construction materials, raising concerns about the timely completion of the project. The western section of the Nagdhunga–Mungling Road Project covers the stretch from Mugling to Malekhu. 

Although a contract has already been awarded to extract the required construction materials from the Lamabagar area along the Trishuli River near Malekhu, construction companies involved in the project have been unable to extract materials due to obstruction by local residents.

Project Chief Sajana Adhikari of the Project (Western Section) said the lack of construction materials has directly impacted road construction works. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has approved the extraction of 74,000 cubic metres of construction materials from the area. 

Following the project’s approval, a contractor was appointed to extract materials accordingly. However, locals have imposed conditions preventing material extraction, and no materials have been obtained to date.

“We have not been able to extract gravel, sand and other materials from the site since the project began,” Adhikari said, adding that repeated discussions with local residents have failed to resolve the issue. 

Talks were held again on Saturday, but without any breakthrough. Continued insistence by locals not to allow material extraction from Lamabagar poses a serious risk to the progress of road construction, she warned.

Due to the obstruction, construction materials are currently being transported from Jugedi in Chitwan and from Nuwakot, significantly increasing costs. “Bringing materials from distant locations raises expenses to the extent that contractors may find it difficult to continue work,” Adhikari said, stressing the need for cooperation from local governments and residents.

Campaign groups advocating for the protection of the Trishuli River have also opposed material extraction. Local residents argue that the area is used for fairs and festivals, and that extracting materials would cause problems.

Chief District Officer of Dhading, Bijaya Raj Subedi, said local obstruction has created difficulties for the project. “The demands are at the local level and should be addressed by the concerned local government. Development works should not be obstructed,” he said. 

Despite several rounds of discussions to resolve the dispute, no solution has been reached so far. He added that efforts would resume after the completion of election-related responsibilities, including the nomination process.

According to Subedi, local government leaders and elected representatives have not shown adequate initiative to resolve the dispute, even though three years have passed since the road expansion project began. 

Although contracts were awarded at the outset to extract materials from Lamabagar, no effective steps have been taken by the local level to date.

Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality Chairperson Krishna Bahadur Thapaliya said he was generally aware of the issue but had not been able to focus on it due to time constraints. “I have heard there is a dispute. I could not give it attention due to lack of time, but I will look into it,” he said.

Meanwhile, the municipality’s Chief Administrative Officer, Ram Babu Paudel, said the rural municipality itself has not created any obstruction. “We have received information that locals are protesting. The CDO is working towards a solution at the district level. There is no obstruction from our side,” he said.Project Chief Adhikari emphasised that development works can only gain momentum if local governments, administration and stakeholders work together to resolve the dispute.

The project involves road expansion and blacktopping along a 38.86-kilometre stretch from Mugling to Malekhu. 

According to the project office, around 37 per cent of the work has been completed so far, with 11-km already blacktopped. Preparations are under way to blacktop the remaining sections.

The project was contracted at a cost of Rs. 4.80 billion. Sharma ZICG JV was awarded the contract, and the agreement was signed in December 2022. The project was originally scheduled for completion by mid-January 2026, but the deadline has been extended after delays.