November 3: The Department of Roads has concluded that there are three main reasons for the delay in the expansion of the Narayangadh-Butwal section under the East-West Highway. When the team including the director general of the department visited the site on Monday and Tuesday, they deduced that the work was delayed due to the non-cooperation of the government, construction companies and local municipalities.

Due to the three-sided problem, the road could not be leveled on time, and the department indicated that the deadline for completion of the project will be extended by one year. After failing to show satisfactory progress within the stipulated time, the department has sought explanation from the Chinese construction company -- China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited -- within one month. The department had asked the company to submit a reliable basis for not being able to complete the construction in the extended period as well.

During this time, even the department visited the site for inspection. Arjun Jung Thapa, director general of the department, claimed that the construction was delayed due to three main reasons. “It was seen that there was a delay in the work to be done by the Nepal government as well. The local municipality prohibited on buying of construction materials like aggregates, gravel and soil despite paying royalty to the local municipality. In addition, there were problems with the management of the construction company, leading to the delay in completion of wok on time,” said Thapa.

Even now, the electric poles on the road that needs to be widened have not been removed. Thapa said that he did not get any help from the local municipality. Stating that the road construction was delayed due to various reasons, he indicated that the deadline will be extended by one year. The company has to expand the road in the next one year because not even a quarter of the work has been completed so far.

An agreement was reached between the Department of Roads and the Chinese company to complete the 114 km Narayangadh-Butwal road upgrading work in 3.5 years in January 2018.

As per the agreement, the road should have been expanded by August 1.

The expansion of this road section is estimated to cost around  Rs 16 billion.