KATHMANDU, Aug 10: In a development that highlights inefficiencies in project coordination, a 12.20 km tunnel for the Bheri-Babai Diversion Multi-Purpose Project was completed three years ago, at a cost of Rs 9.92 billion. However, the project's overall construction progress has been hindered due to the disjointed approach to various components.

Despite the early completion of the tunnel on September 2, 2020, with an expenditure nearing Rs 10 billion, the concurrent construction work of essential civil structures such as the headwork, power house, and surge shaft could not be synchronized. Consequently, the tunnel's completion has become a futile endeavor, as the other vital structures required for its effective function remain incomplete.

The Guangdong Yuwangtairing-Raman JV, contracted to construct the civil structures (headwork, power house, and surge shaft), has encountered extensive delays. Awarded the contract for 35 percent less than the estimated cost, the contractor has struggled to meet project milestones. The contract for these structures was awarded to the company on July 29, 2019, with a stipulated completion date of August 14, 2023.

As of the end of June in the fiscal year 2022/23, only 45 percent of the physical progress and financial progress has been achieved, amounting to 45.05 percent. Approximately 2 billion 77 million rupees has been spent on the project up to this point.

Senior Divisional Engineer Lekhnath Subedi of the Bheri-Babai Diversion Multi-Purpose Project cited factors such as the COVID-19 lockdown and disruptions within the contractor company as contributors to the delays in headwork construction. Despite a requested three-year extension by the contractor, the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation (DWRI) is currently reviewing the matter.

Originally estimated at Rs 11.52 billion (excluding VAT), the contract was secured by the contractor company for Rs 6.16 billion (excluding VAT), which amounts to 35 percent less than the estimated cost. Although only 45 percent of the construction for headwork, powerhouse, and surge shaft has been accomplished, Senior Divisional Engineer Subedi remains optimistic about the construction's acceleration post-monsoon.

The overall progress of the project currently stands at 62 percent in terms of physical completion and 54.86 percent in terms of financial progress.

The Bheri Babai multi-purpose irrigation project was initiated by the government to offer year-round irrigation services across 51,000 hectares of land in Banke and Bardiya. Despite its designation as a national pride project in 2011/12, intended for completion within 10 years (by FY 2022/23), the project's execution has been marred by obstacles.

With an estimated cost of Rs 33.19 billion, only Rs 16.52 billion has been expended thus far. The previous year's budget allocation of Rs 1.39 billion for the project saw a utilization of only 78.51 percent, amounting to Rs 1.9 billion.

 
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