Gorkha-Barpak road awaits blacktopping

Published On: January 26, 2020 12:22 PM NPT By: Narhari Sapkota

Photo: Republica/Files

Erring contractors get extension instead of punishment

GORKHA, Jan 26: The Bhaluswara Road Project Office had begun procedures to take action against the contractors who were responsible for the construction of the Gorkha-Barpak road, as they were not able to complete the work within the extended deadline. Contracts of four packages were left in limbo by four construction companies and the office was planning to punish them but the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has extended the deadline for the contractors.

The contractors have received additional deadline of one year to complete all construction works which were left in limbo for years in Gorkha. According to Rajesh Kumar Yadav, engineer of the Barpak Road Project, contractors who have not completed the projects in five years have received additional time of one year to complete the projects.

The first package of Bahrakilo-Barpak road was agreed on Rs 105 million and Rs 60 million has already been paid to the contractor. On July 15, 2014 the agreement was made to complete the project on December 16, 2015. The construction work has not been completed even after five year despite numerous extensions to the contractor. The government has yet to collect Rs 20 million in fines from Trishuli JV.

Kankai Gorkha JV signed an agreement to construct 17 to 22 kilometers of the second section for Rs 150 million on June 2017. The company has received Rs 120 million so far and has not completed the work yet. The agreement to complete the work expired on June, 2019. The office has already extended the deadline for one year. Lohani and Brothers Construction Pvt. Ltd signed an agreement on June, 2015 to complete the 22 to 30 kilometers section of the road. So far, only half of the work has been completed.

The contract for the construction of the remaining section of the road was signed for Rs 350 million. The office has paid Rs 130 million to the contractor, Rasuwa Surya Elite JV. The work should have been completed by June, 2015. The contractor has also received further extension to complete the work.