Fikkal (Ilam), December 19
Three decades have gone by since the construction of the Phalgunanda Road commenced.
Billions have been invested in the development of the Phalgunanda Road project that will connect Damak in Jhapa with Chisopani Panchami in Panchthar. The road traverses through Mangesubung in Ilam, contributing to enhanced connectivity in the region.
Despite huge investments, the road project has not yielded the expected results, leaving the local residents inconvenienced due to the lack of easy transportation. Even after 30 years, the construction of the road remains incomplete, worsening the challenges faced by the community.
A dirt road has been established along the Ratuwa River bank, allowing vehicle operations from Damak to Gharti Dobhan. However, the vehicular movement faces disruptions even after moderate rainfall, indicating the road’s vulnerability.
The lack of progress in road construction is attributed to the alleged negligence of the construction company. Five years have passed since the contract was awarded to the construction company for gravelling and black-topping the 33-kilometre section of the Phalgunanda Road, yet the expected momentum in construction has not been achieved.
The commencement of black-topping the Phalgunanda Road has been repeatedly delayed despite multiple extensions of the contract term. The original plan was to concurrently carry out road widening and blacktopping, divided into three sections over three years. However, this approach has not been implemented.
Five years ago, the contract for blacktopping the initial seven-kilometre stretch from Damak was awarded to Mahalaxmi-Kirateshwar JV. The contract, valued at Rs 225.964 million, stipulated that the blacktopping works must be completed within 30 months. Since then, the contract has been extended four times, with the latest extension terminated in mid-July, according to the Road Division Office in Damak.
The contract for blacktopping the 15-kilometre-long second section and the 11-kilometre-long third section of the highway was granted to Lumbini-Ganapati JV. The contract for the second section’s road construction amounted to Rs 544.487 million, while the third section was valued at Rs 591.535 million.
Engineer Gautam Kumar Dev from the Road Division Office reported that around 62 per cent of the work has been completed in the second section, and 28 per cent in the third section. However, the overall progress on the entire 33-kilometre highway stands at only 50 per cent, indicating a significant lag in the project’s completion.
