Mountains. The contractors who failed to complete the road project for five years despite extending the deadline time and again have forfeited their deposits. The Infrastructure Development Office, Parbat has seized the bank guarantee of the construction of the Lunkhudeurali-Milanchowk-Balakot-Hoshrangdi road in Mahasheela Rural Municipality of Parbat district.

The contractor had not carried out any works except widening the road though the contract was supposed to be completed within 18 months, which was supposed to be completed by March 31, 2022. Santosh Aryal, chief of Infrastructure Development Office, Parbat, said that the security deposit was forfeited after he did not return to work despite extending the deadline time and again till April 12, 2081.

Only 35 per cent physical progress has been made in the construction of the six-kilometre road to be constructed at a cost of Rs 112.26 million. Although verbal and written letters have been sent time and again to return to work, the contractor has been reluctant to terminate the contract.

The road has become even more chaotic after the contractor started the construction of the road and the contractor went out of contact. Chairperson of Mahasheela rural municipality, Ishwori Prasad Bhusal, said it has been difficult to operate vehicles on the road at present.

After the start of the construction, the contractor had taken Rs 41.13 million as payment. As the contractors have not come into contact even after forfeiting the deposit, other action has been initiated.

Bhusal said that the residents of the rural municipality office at Kafaldanda of Ward No. 5, Balakot and Hoshangdi have been facing problems in commuting on a daily basis. Locals have complained that action should be taken against the contractor for delaying the road under the Gandaki State government’s strategic road project.