DPM Shrestha observes Bhaktapur-Nagarkot road

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Narayan Kaji Shrestha inspected the road from Bhatkekopati, Kamal Binayak to Nagarkot in the district today.

A team comprising DPM Shrestha, Ambassador of India to Nepal Naveen Srivastava, the Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, the Director General at the Department of Roads, the Chief of the Bhaktapur-Nagarkot Road Expansion Project, and the representatives of the Shailung Construction and the bodies concerned monitored the road. On reaching Nagarkot Bus Park following the inspection, DPM Shrestha said he was not satisfied with the Bhaktapur-Nagarkot road expansion works and that the government would not tolerate it if the road condition remained the same. He warned the construction company that the contract agreement would be annulled if the road construction was not completed and up to the mark, and not handed over within a month.

The contract was signed in 2014 and the road expansion should have been completed by 2016, but there is no room for satisfaction looking at the present condition of the road despite the extension of the deadline seven times," the DPM and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport said, adding, "you have also observed the poor condition of the road and dissatisfaction as well as annoyance of the people today; we are serious on this." Stating that the construction company has neglected the construction of the Bhaktapur-Nagarkot road, he said the extra time would not be given if the dillydally in the construction of the road continued. DPM Shrestha said they would immediately sit with the construction company and discuss about the issue, review the work progress, and take an appropriate decision.

Recalling his discussions with the construction entrepreneurs regarding the sick projects in Kathmandu before this, he said that time also he had reprimanded the construction companies for not completing the projects on time. The DPM briefed the Indian ambassador Srivastava also on the condition of the road. On the occasion, Changunarayan Municipality-6 Ward Chair Dhan Bahadur Lama accused Shailung Construction Company of sub-standard works.

Representative of Shailung Construction Anup Adhikari pledged to complete the project within one month from now and hand it over to the government, admitting that the road expansion works were delayed somewhat in the meantime due to problems related to cutting trees on roadside, shifting the electric poles and also due to the earthquake. "There is no room for us to request for another extension of the deadline. There have been shortcomings on our part as well. We will undertake the construction works day and night, complete the project and hand it over within one month. If we cannot accomplish the work within one month, we quit," he added.