Work nearing completion
CHITWAN, May 23: Construction companies involved in the construction of Mugling-Narayanghat road have requested a fifth extension of work deadline.
The road section was divided into three sections and the sections were awarded to different contractors. The work deadlines of two companies have already expired.
Residents demand stringent laws against contractors
Divisional engineer of the Mugling-Narayanghat Road Construction Project Govinda Prasad Khanal said that two companies have requested for extension of their work deadlines. “The rule says that a contractor has to make such request a week prior to the expiry of the deadline,” he said, adding, “Both have made requests in accordance with the rule.”
Of the total 33.27 km road section, the 10.45 km Aptari-Dasdhunga section was awarded to BLASCC; the 10.69 km Dasdhunga-Simaltal section was awarded to Woodhill-Lama Joint Venture (JV); and 12.13 km Simaltal-Mugling section was awarded to Supreme-Rautaha JV.
The fourth extension of the contract with BLASCC expired on May 10 whereas Woodhill-Lama JV’s contract expired on 20 May. Likewise, the contract with Supreme-Rautaha JV is expiring on May 30. Both the companies whose deadlines have expired have requested extension of their deadlines.
Work on the project was started in April 2015 with the plan to complete it in two years. BLASCC was granted four extensions of 128 days, 92 days, 81 days and 85 days -- 386 days in total. Similarly, Woodhill-Lama JV was granted four extensions of 127 days, 92 days, 84 days and 89 days -- 392 days in total. And Supreme-Rautaha JV was granted extensions of 136, 109, 63 and 99 days -- 407 days in total.
According to Divisional Engineer Khanal, 88 percent of the works have been completed. Only a part of Aptari-Dasdhunga section remains to be blacktopped. The remaining work includes construction of some roadside railings, sewerage and blacktopping.
The construction work was started with a budget of Rs. 3.2 billion.
