PM Oli sets deadline for Narayangadh-Butwal road expansion project

Kathmandu, November 14 — Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that a decision will be reached soon regarding the delay in the construction of the Narayangadh–Butwal road section under the East-West Highway.

During a discussion at the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar today, which included concerned ministers, ministry officials, and representatives from Rupandehi, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta West), and Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), Prime Minister Oli emphasized that if construction does not begin by December 2024, there will be no option but to terminate the contract.

He stated that if the contractor company performs reliably, it would be appropriate to continue with the project, and added that the trend of holding the project for 28 years must be avoided.

“We had hoped and expected the work to be completed with urgency, but that has not happened. The residents of this area have had to endure the pain of living in dust and dirt for a long time. Economic development activities have also been affected,” said Prime Minister Oli.

“We must take this matter seriously and the relevant government agencies must take action. This issue has also caught my serious attention. We are now in a position where we must make a decisive decision.”

Bhagauti Yadav Rudal, District Coordination Committee head of Nawalparasi (Susta East), had submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Oli.

The contract for the construction of the road section was signed with China State Construction Engineering Corporation on March 22, 2019, with a completion deadline of August 7, 2022.

So far, 44% of the payment has been made, and 52% of the work has been completed.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel, Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Devendra Dahal, Minister for Land Management and Cooperatives Balaram Adhikari, and Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Keshav Sharma were also present at the meeting.

Minister Dahal informed that despite repeated warnings to the construction company, work had not yet begun, but assurances had been received that construction will start by the end of December 2024.

On this occasion, Butwal Sub Metropolitan City Mayor Khelraj Pandey brought the attention of Prime Minister Oli to the problem of landless people in the area.