Some of these contractors have cited ban on excavation of construction materials along the Chure region, some have cited the elongated bidding process and some have cited the recent Indian economic blockade as factor for not completing the project. These excuses, for some of the RDO officials, are also just excuses.
"The contractors have informed us verbally or in written statement that they won't be able to complete the projects on time due to the blockade. They have stated that they have been not able to procure construction materials and carry on construction works due to lack of fuel," said Kalpana Adhikari, information officer at RDO, Dang. "Except some, most of the road construction projects have been affected by the blockade," she said.
Dakshinkali Nirman Sewa, a construction company, had taken signed agreement with the RDO to gravel three roads in Dang within this fiscal year. And it did so, despite the blockade standing out as an example. Though the blockade had been imposed when it had signed formal agreements with the RDO, it completed its task before the agreed time.
"It was supposed to gravel one and half kilometer of road. And it completed the work even before time despite the blockade," said Adhikari adding that even though that was a small project, the performance should be appreciated. "It's the matter of will," she stated.
But the example has not impressed other contractors. Nepal Pragati Shiva Shakti, which has agreed to complete construction of two roads in Dang has stated that the lack of fuel as well as construction materials is not letting it complete its agreed work. "Along with the fuel crisis, we have been hit by shortage of construction materials in the market. In such scenario, it's not possible to complete the assignments on time," K V Oli, its chief contractor said adding that he has already informed the RDO of the situation.
Majority of the contractors have taken it as their right now, to keep their projects unfinished, said Adhikari claiming that the lack of fuel is not as critical as put by the contractors. According to her, RDO has been cooperating by writing letter to DAO asking it to avail fuel for road construction. "They are getting fuel for the work. It may be that they are not getting in abundance, but it's not that all the works has to be halted. That's not the actual situation," she claimed.
Niraj Neupanne, contractor of Kankai Jaljala Janaki, which has also received quite a few road construction projects funded by the Constituency Development Fund also reiterated the Oli's statement adding that they have resumed projects after the blackened eased off in the recent weeks.
Adhikari was of opinion that the contractors, who used to linger their works even other times are finding it easier due to blockade. "The DAO has been providing fuel for developmental works. We are cooperating. Yet, most of the contractors have stopped working. Extending project completion deadline affects everything, from cost to project plan," she said. "Contractors are informing project delays citing blockade for building up excuse to evade fine for project delays," she added.
The RDO has started fining contractors to discourage them from extending project deadlines. The fine is determined on the nature of the delay in construction projects.
Contractor Oli agreed that that the reason behind informing the road department of inability to complete the project was indeed to avoid being fined. "If we are not able to work due to blockade, it's not our fault. So we wrote to the department informing about the situation and not being fined for delays that are not our doing."
Adhikari, however, hinted that the RDO won't excuse contractors blindly. "While some are stopped working forwarding blockade as an excuse, others are doing their job uninterruptedly. In such a scenario RDO will not blindly accept blockade as delay excuse and spare the contractor from delay fine," she said.
Nepali contractors barred from bidding for ADB-funded projects:...
