BESISHAHAR: Upgradation and blacktopping of the Besishahar-Chame Road that connects with the mountainous district Manang has been mired by sluggish construction.
Much to the dismay, despite the budget allocation, the upgradation and blacktopping of 7.8 kilometers of the road’s stretch have achieved only around 40 percent of physical programs so far.
The contract was awarded to Ashish Anest JV Chitwan for blacktopping from Chautara in Manang to Khudi to complete blacktopping as of mid-July this year and at the cost of over Rs 250 million. The carriageway of the road will be 5.5 meters and will be used for heavy vehicles to ferry goods.
The progress has been dismal as four months remain to reach the deadline of the contract, said Achyut Bilas Panta, chief of the Road Office.
“The chief of the construction company is not attending the meetings called by us. We summoned the chief of the Contractor Company on coming March 11. We will discuss the matter in detail on the day.”
The road has not been graveled while canal construction has achieved 50 percent progress. Wall erection has seen 60 percent progress. “Major task is blacktopping which is taking forever,” he rued.
The road constructed by the Nepali Army in 2069 BS has been a backbone to Manang and northern Lamjung folks.
Chief District Officer of Manang district, Suprabha Khanal Dhunge, admitted that complaints were pouring in from the public regarding a delay in the upgradation of the road and the local authority was effortful to hold discussions with the concerned parties.
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