KATHMANDU: Construction entrepreneurs have objected to remarks made by senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Balen Shah, during the party’s election rally held in Dhangadhi on Wednesday.
Speaking for nearly four minutes at the rally, Shah had criticized construction delays, claiming that roads meant to be completed within two years were taking up to 20 years. He further stated that roads must be completed “whether by tying (contractors) to trees, making them lie on the road, or locking them in sheds.”
The remarks have drawn strong reactions from the construction sector.
Chair of the Federation of Contractors’ Associations of Nepal, Rabi Singh, termed Shah’s expression objectionable and irresponsible.
“That is extremely uncivil language. Instead of identifying the reasons behind delays and seeking solutions, he spoke in a way that provokes people,” Singh told Khabarhub. “They should examine the causes of delays in the construction sector and find practical solutions.”
Singh also questioned Shah’s maturity, stating that such language reflects a lack of a grounded vision to move the country forward.
“The words he used show immaturity. Just as Kulman once scrapped contracts on impulse, Balen has used such language out of impulse. This is condemnable,” Singh said. “It indicates that they lack the foundational understanding required to lead the country ahead.”
Construction entrepreneurs have long argued that delays in infrastructure projects are often linked to existing laws, public procurement regulations, and structural issues within the state system. They have been calling for time-relevant reforms to ease procedural hurdles.
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