TIKAPUR, Oct 22: Tikapur Municipality Block A upgrading work under Smart City, has not been completed on time. The work that was started three years ago was supposed to be completed within one and a half years. However, the work has not been completed till date.

The deadline has been extended twice as the work could not be completed on time. The latest extension of the deadline is also ending by mid-October. The work of paving the road has not yet started and the construction of the drains is also at a standstill.

Urban Development and Building Construction Department Federal Project Implementation Unit Office has to construct three kilometers of black-topped road and drainage under the upgradation of Block A at a cost of around Rs 80 million. The main road on three sides of Block A and some internal roads should also be paved as a part of the project.

The company, Mahalakshmi  M.K JV has been entrusted with the upgradation work. According to the company, the work could not be carried out for the past one year due to COVID-19 pandemic. Construction businessman Chakra Shah said that the construction work was affected due to electricity poles and water pipes as well.

Shah informed Republica that it took two years to move away the electric poles and manage the water pipes. He said, "For two years, we did not get the order for construction due to the electricity pole and water pipe. This is the main reason for the delay in the work."

Shah also said that the construction of drains is almost finished and only the road paving work remains to be completed. He mentioned that within the next two months the black topping work will also be completed. He said that the construction work will resume soon after the Tihar festival is over.

Not only has the upgrading work been delayed, but also the construction site is piled up with construction materials. This has increased chances of accidents. Locals said that due to the construction materials piled up on the road, there is also a problem for people to walk.

Gangaram Chapagarin, a local, said that they were not able to walk properly on the road as they had laid gravel on the road. He said that this situation was also created due to the negligence of the construction company. Locals have requested the construction company to complete the work on time. They have accused the construction company of delaying the work under various pretexts.

 
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