Narayangadh-Butwal road expansion: Only 25% of work done by Chinese company in 4 years

The widening of Narayangadh-Butwal road section along the East-West Highway has so far made only 25 percent progress.

The road widening project that had to be completed in mid-July 2022 has witnessed dismal progress even after four years have elapsed since the project inception. Due to the inability of the responsible agencies to monitor and not showing interest in implementation, the work has not yet reached the expected speed.

The road department had previously published a notice saying that if the construction work is not completed within the specified time frame, the contract will be terminated. However, the road department has become flexible and has not been able to proceed with the work.

With the Chinese contractor not carrying out the works on time in line with the contract, the road is full of potholes which is not only delaying the travel but is also leading to the road accidents.

Director General of the Department, Arjun Jung Thapa said that even though they have provided the opportunity to work to the construction company many times, the company has been neglecting the work. However, he didn’t say anything about proceeding with the process of action to the company.

Thapa said, “The work has progressed at a very slow pace. We will reconsider whether to extend the deadline or not”.

According to Kwang Silk Park, the team leader of the consultant carrying out the Narayangadh-Butwal road expansion project, road widening has been delayed due to complications brought out by the Covid pandemic, the fall of trees, electricity pole transfer and a lack of sufficient mobilisation of equipment.

“In the initial stage, there was a delay in many important works like deployment of equipment, delay in permission from the park and forest for cutting trees, delay in moving the electricity poles,” he said, “The road expansion work has been affected due to the closure of the crusher industry in the district.”

In November 2019, the Chinese contractor had formally started the work in the field.

Road widening work along the 114km Butwal-Narayanghat section, one of the busiest roads along the East-West Highway, was initiated with Rs17 billion loan assistance from the Asian Development Bank.