Black-topping still incomplete despite multiple deadline extension

KHOTANG, Aug 13: Black-topping works on three sections of Diktel-Halesi Road of the Mid-Hills Highway still remains incomplete despite two deadline extensions.

It has already been four months since the second deadline to complete the black-topping work of Halesi-Bijule section expired. The government has hired Lumbini-Kankai Surya JV for the work. The second deadline of the work worth Rs 178 million expired on April 7. But only 87 percent of works have completed so far.

The first deadline for the work had expired in March last year.

According to Surya Prasad Dhakal, a resident engineer of MSV International and Soil Test JV, a consulting firm of the project, about 13 percent of the works still remain to be completed.

The contracting firm had accepted the work on June 12, 2014, agreeing to complete the work within two years.

"The contractor has so far completed first code blacktopping on the 9.32 km section. It began second or final code of blacktopping only recently," Dhakal said, adding that the contractor can complete the work within one and half months if it works to its full capacity. "But I have come to know that their machinery for bitumen work has broken down."

Dhakal added that the contractor has already arranged necessary raw materials.

Work progress in remaining two sections -- Bijule-Hurlung (12 km) and Hulrung-Diktel (11.43 km) is not satisfactory. Lama Nagarjun JV has completed only 62 percent of the work on Bijule-Hurlung section so far. Its second deadline, which was extended in March last year, has already expired.

Similarly, only 66 percent of works on Hurlung-Diktel section has been completed so far. Nagarjun-Trishuli JV is the contractor of the project.

The work to blacktop Diktel-Halesi section of the Mid-Hills Highway had started in July 2014 July with assistance of US$ 52 million of the Asian Development Bank.

 
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