Kathmandu. Only 69 per cent physical progress has been made in the first five years since the expansion and upgradation of the Kanchanpur-Kamala road section, a project of transformational pride of the government, began.

The 86.83-km section, which is being constructed with the Asian Development Bank’s major investment, is yet to be completed despite three extensions of deadline. According to the agreement signed in June 2020 with China Railway No. 2 Engineering Group, the road was supposed to be completed by October 28, 2023.

The deadline was extended for 14 months for the first time and 12 months for the second time. Recently, the deadline has been extended for the third time till June by 6 months. The project is being constructed in two parts (39.42 km of eastern section of Kanchanpur-Kusaha and 47.4 km of Kusaha-Kamala section).

Progress of Eastern Segment 67%

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According to Engineer Rajiv Jha, information officer of the eastern section of the section in Lahan, 67 per cent physical progress has been made so far. The 24-km road has been blacktopped into four lanes and 113 culverts and 20 bridges have been used for vehicular movement. However, the construction work in the market areas of Kanchanpur, Mahuli, Rupani, Kalyanpur, among other market areas has been sluggish due to local obstruction.

Engineer Jha said, “Technically, the construction of drains in unnecessary places has not been regularized due to pressure from the locals and various obstacles. ’

Overpass and design in the western section

According to the report of the Mirchaiya Office of the West Division, 30 percent of the total number of people in the district was 30. A total of 85 kilometers of four-lane road has been constructed. Out of 112 culverts and 25 bridges, 12 have already come into operation. However, due to the delay in the design approval of the Golbazaar section, the work has not gained momentum.

According to Anupam Sah, information officer at the office, pile foundation is underway to construct overpasses in Lahan and Mirchaiya. He said that 20 gravel foundations have been constructed in Lahan as the soil is weak in Lahan. The construction of the overhead bridge in front of Lahan Bus Park and Provincial Hospital has also been completed.

Dust, smoke and accident risk

Residents and commuters of the main bazaar area have been facing a lot of problems due to the delay in the construction work. The road is in chaos especially due to the slow construction of overpasses along the Lahan and Mirchaiya sections.

Locals have complained that the risk of road accidents has increased due to the narrow diversions and blowing dust on both sides of the road. The journey has become risky as the finishing work like railings, painting and expansion joints of the bridge is still to be done.

Similarly, the main road will be 4 lanes and the market area will have 6 lanes. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has 71.22 per cent loan assistance and the Government of Nepal has 28.78 per cent investment in the road expansion project.