BPKIHS academic block handed over despite 28 major faults, show records

Published On: August 27, 2018 03:00 AM NPT By: Rohit Rai

DHARAN, Aug 27: The then administration of BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), Dharan, has been accused of accepting the building of the newly-constructed academic block of the institute despite being aware of over two dozen major faults in the building due to the negligence of the contractors.

There are various evidences which prove that the administration has made various efforts to protect the contractors. The Indian Embassy in Nepal constructed two blocks (block A and B) with an investment of Rs 160 million. However, this became nothing more than pouring water in sand as the building is in a sorry state now. Especially, block A has become useless now.

Though BPKIHS was planning to shift the anatomy department there, it could not happen due to the poor condition of the block. On the other hand, four rooms of block B are used for conducting MBBS classes. However, the damaged ceiling and leaking roofs often disturb classes here too.

It has been four years since the embassy handed over the building to BPKIHS. On December 26, 2013, a joint meeting of the contractor, consultant and administration of BPKIHS was called where they discussed about a report, which showed 28 faults in the construction of the building.

The meeting concluded that the building would be handed over if the contractors repaired it within the next two months (i.e. by February 26, 2014). An agreement signed at that time has been recovered recently. Lama Constructions Company PVT. LTD and Consultant Company Building Design Authority (BDA) were entrusted with the responsibility of the building.

The decision made some four years ago is yet to be implemented. Reportedly the contractor has been refusing to repair the faulty building. Instead of waiting for the contractors to repair the building first, BPKIHS administration received the building and shifted its classes putting the lives of students and teachers at risk.

Dr BP Das was the vice chancellor of BPKIHS when the building was handed over to BPKIHS. "There were not just one or two faults but 28 major faults," said a source at BPKIHS, adding, "It would have been better if the building had been handed over after the repair work."

On March 8, 2015, BPKIHS wrote a letter to BDA complaining that the construction company had not begun the repair work even after two years. Following which, on March 12, 2015, BDA wrote a letter to the director of construction company, Pitambar Badu, urging to repair the building. Both of these letters were kept in the respective offices for record. Even after such a long time, nothing has been done towards repairing the buildings.