KHOTANG: The Infrastructure Development Office Khotang has sought written clarification from 19 construction companies for failing to begin work even two months after signing contract agreements.
According to the office, the companies had signed contracts for 26 development projects but did not start construction within the stipulated time. They have been instructed to submit written explanations within seven days.
Chief engineer of the office, Binam Dahal, said the companies have been asked to explain the reasons for not commencing the work within the agreed timeline.
“If the work does not start on time, the monsoon season will begin, and construction carried out toward the end of the fiscal year often lacks quality,” Dahal said. “Delays may leave projects incomplete and even risk the allocated budget being frozen.”
The office has also warned the contractors to immediately begin construction work, noting that delays could cause inconvenience to local residents and service users. The projects must be completed within the stipulated timeframe under the direct supervision of technical staff from the office.
Account officer Sitaram Raut said contractors who fail to start work within the deadline may face legal action, including the forfeiture of bank guarantees and rejection of unnecessary deadline extensions.
The office operates under the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development Koshi Province. A total of 123 projects were contracted in the district this fiscal year, with construction progressing rapidly in most projects except the 26 affected ones.
The office stated that a budget of Rs 1.94 billion has been allocated this fiscal year for both single-year and multi-year development projects. However, eight approved projects could not be tendered due to land disputes, while 17 others have been recommended to the provincial government to be included as multi-year projects due to insufficient allocated budgets.
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