Road Sector Development Project (RSDP) implemented under the World Bank´s (WB) assistance, Connectivity Project that targets to improve road access to district headquarters and Sub-Regional Transport Project of Asian Development Bank (ADB) to build infrastructure for commercial areas are the major projects facing snag in implementation, according to Tulsi Sitaula, joint secretary at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (MoPPW).
The government had announced 2009/10 as Road Year and had allocated a sizable budget of Rs 18.49 billion, in a bid to speed up the construction of roads most of which are funded by donors.
Under the RSDP, the government has hoped to construct a total of 300 km of black-topped roads this year, linking district headquarters of Baitadi, Darchula, Kalikot, Bajhang and Dailekh with the national roads network. Similarly, under the Connectivity Project, it has expected construction of another 240 km black-topped roads, connecting district headquarters of Rasuwa, Ramechhap and Taplejung as well as Galchhi-Trishuli and Bhairahawa-Taulihawa roads by next year. The Sub-regional Project, on the other hand, includes construction of dry port at Kakarbhitta, Jitpur-Birgunj by-pass road and Bhairahawa-Bhumai by-pass road.
"Unfortunately, all these major projects are facing snag in the process of implementation," Sitaula said.
Officials said the adverse political climate and lackluster performance of contractors among other reasons have made it difficult for the government to complete construction within the stipulated time frame. Irked by their performances, the government has even gone up to the extent of blacklisting some of the contractors.
According to Sitaula, the government has set a target of completing 75 percent of RSDP within this fiscal year. Likewise, it has aimed to complete 50 percent of works of Connectivity Project and all construction works under Sub-regional Projects within this fiscal year.
“Frequent political unrest and slow procurement of construction materials were the two major factors that affected the timely implementation of Connectivity Project,” said Sitaula.
Apart from these three major projects, the government has also failed to commence implementation of Tarai Road Project -- another major roads project announced this year. Concerned officials said the project has faced roadblock because of the delay in awarding contract. Under the project, being financed by the Indian government, 20 different roads of 600 km length are planned to be constructed in the first phase.
The project in total would lay down over 50 different roads with the length of 1500 km under three phases. Most of those roads would connect district headquarters of Tarai districts and East-West Highway with southern belt of Tarai that borders India.
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