The western section, from Pokhara to Jamune, of the Mugling-Pokhara Road Expansion Project has achieved only 32 percent physical progress so far, with the latest extension of the project by 101 days set to expire on December 5.
Work on this section, which spans across Kaski and Tanahun districts, began in August 2021.
However, the Chinese construction company, Yanhui Kaiyuan Highway and Bridge Construction, has moved forward the request for an additional extension of the deadline by one year, Project’s Engineer Soujanya Nepal, told RSS, the state-owned news agency.
The deadline has already been extended twice after the original three-year contract period ended in August this year.
Claiming that the work has gained momentum of late, Engineer Nepal said the project is expected to be completed within a year.
“While the work has yet to begin in the Talchok-Gagan Gauda stretch, it has been going at full speed in all other sections,” Nepal told RSS. “The construction company has added more manpower and equipment to speed up the process.”
The 22 kilometres section of the four-lane road has been blacktopped on one side. The sections in Tharpu and Turture of Tanahun and Tallo Gagan Gauda in Kaski have also been asphalted.
The section from Jamune in Tanahun to Seti Bridge in Pokhara will be a mix of six-lane and four-lane, according to Nepal. Along with the road expansion, the construction of bridges, culverts, and drains is progressing rapidly.
In the western section, difficulties in managing structures, electric poles and water infrastructure within the road’s right-of-way especially in urban areas have delayed the expansion project.
While nine out of 12 bridges in the 38.88 km western section are in the final stage of construction, the process of removing structures and providing compensation has been completed, according to the project office.
The delay in completion of expansion and upgradation of the road, which is the main route linking the tourist capital of Pokhara, has led to increasing public complaints. The slow-paced work has caused inconvenience to both tourists and the general public.
The Chinese construction company, Yanhui Kaiyuan Highway and Bridge Construction, is responsible for completing the western section of the project, with a budget of Rs 7.4 billion.
The road expansion project, which spans a total of 81 kilometres, is financed by a loan from the Asian Development Bank.
Meanwhile, the eastern section of the project, from Jamune-Mugling, has achieved a 68 percent physical progress, reported RSS, citing Engineer Bishnu Prasad Pandey. In this section, construction of 14 out of 17 bridges, both small and large, have been completed.
The "signature" bridge to be built in Madi is being handled separately through a different contract.
Currently, asphalting work is going on from Markichok to Satra Saya section in the Ambukhaireni Rural Municipality-2.
Within the eastern section, 29 kilometres of four-lane and 5 kilometres of two-lane road have been paved.
The eastern section, which spans 41.45 km, is being constructed by China Communication Construction Company with a budget of Rs 6.21 billion. This section will have six-lane roads in Dumre and Damauli markets, and four-lane roads in other areas.
RSS
