KATHMANDU: A total of 234 road and bridge construction contracts that were signed but left incomplete for years are set to be terminated. The contracts fall under the Federal Road Supervision and Monitoring Office, including road division offices, the Postal Highway, and the Mid-Hill Highway.
Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, said that after discussions with concerned officials, 38 contracts under Damak, 75 in Kathmandu, 39 in Pokhara, 49 in Surkhet, 16 on the Postal Highway, and 17 on the Mid-Hill Highway have been found in a stalled condition.
A committee will investigate the officials, both past and present, responsible for allowing these contracts to fall into disrepair without completing the work.
Minister Ghising emphasized that terminating stalled contracts is essential to end the practice of awarding contracts, receiving advance payments, and investing funds elsewhere without completing the work.
Contracts are considered stalled if they meet any of the following conditions:
Over 100% time extension but less than 50% progress on contracts worth over Rs 20 million.
Over 200% time extension but less than 80% progress on contracts worth over Rs 20 million.
Over 400% time extension but less than 95% progress on contracts worth over Rs 20 million.
Ghising also warned that any irregularities, delays, bribery, or harassment of service users by ministry or subordinate office staff will be dealt with immediately. Employees were instructed to report any misconduct that causes unnecessary difficulties to the public.
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