Serious Flaws Found in DPR and Tender Process of Karnali Province's 'Karnali Singha Durbar' Project

Surkhet. Serious flaws have been found in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and even the tender process of the highly anticipated 'Karnali Singha Durbar,' considered a pride project of the Karnali Provincial Government. The provincial government initiated the necessary procedures by naming the administrative building construction project 'Karnali Singha Durbar,' which aims to house all provincial ministries in one location.

During the study, it was revealed that the design of the project was set up from the beginning, and the DPR work was carried out according to the discretion of the contractor intended to be awarded the contract.

Previously, the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Urban Development, Sher Bahadur Buda, faced serious allegations such as 'setting' the project and causing an unnatural increase in costs. He is also accused of being eager to award the contract to a contractor close to him.

After the 'Karnali Singha Durbar' project became mired in controversy even before construction began, the Provincial Assembly's Finance and Natural Resources Committee launched an investigation.

In a meeting held on Poush 19, the committee formed a 3-member subcommittee under the convenership of lawmaker Bir Bahadur Shahi to understand the factual status of the project so far. The members were lawmakers Balimaya Budha and Kal Bahadur Hamal, with Ashish Rai as the member secretary. Additionally, Associate Professor Govinda Khatri from the Central Department of Civil Engineering at Mid-Western University participated as an expert in the study committee.

Although the committee was given a 15-day deadline, it took an additional 7 days because of the serious flaws found internally and the need for further investigation.

The study subcommittee concluded, after studying all documents of the Physical Ministry's activities to date and examining every point, that efforts were being made to move the work forward based on 'setting' by committing one flaw after another.

Initially, the report prepared during the tenure of then Chief Minister Mahendra Bahadur Shahi stated a cost of 51 crore. By the year 080, the cost reached 2 arba 26 crore. In the latest DPR prepared after Yamalal Kandel became Chief Minister, the cost was doubled at once to 4 arba 61 crore 89 lakh 15 thousand 80 rupees.

The subcommittee submitted a 12-point study report to the committee in the second week of Magh. "It has been found that construction work and supply of materials are being attempted to be carried out through a single contract," states the confidential report obtained by Ratopati, "which does not align with the spirit of the Public Procurement Act, 063 and Regulations 064."

The report mentions that technical indivisibility was not clearly certified. Sources indicate that most points from the DPR to the tender invitation were not in accordance with the rules, and suspicious matters were observed.

The project was initiated with the objective of having the scattered provincial ministries work from a single building, named 'Karnali Singha Durbar.' A significant difference in cost was also observed during the study.

Initially, the report prepared during the tenure of then Chief Minister Mahendra Bahadur Shahi stated a cost of 51 crore. By the year 080, the cost reached 2 arba 26 crore. In the latest DPR prepared after Yamalal Kandel became Chief Minister, the cost was doubled at once to 4 arba 61 crore 89 lakh 15 thousand 80 rupees.

Although the DPR was prepared, the work did not proceed due to delays in land ownership. The project is planned to be built on approximately 33,954 square meters of land located in Birendranagar-7, owned by the Surkhet Valley Town Development Committee.

Only last Jestha, after the central cabinet decided to provide land to the provincial government for 'Integrated Building Construction,' the Infrastructure Development Directorate under the Physical Ministry in Surkhet moved forward with the implementation work.

After the tender was called, 6 contractor companies submitted reports. Before the technical evaluation of their proposals was completed, the project was drawn into controversy.

The latest design consultant for the project is 'Design Ripple Structure and Engineering Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu.' The project, targeted for completion within 36 months, includes multifaceted works such as civil, general items, interior work, electrical, sanitary, networking, etc.

The acting director of the Infrastructure Development Directorate, Suryabahadur Shahi, and Minister Buda cited the expansion in the building structure and area as the reason for the increased cost. Furthermore, the ministry claims that the building structure designed is more modern than in the past.

Weaknesses Found in Abundance During Study

Meanwhile, the study committee pointed out numerous weaknesses in its point-by-point analysis. "The amount was determined for various headings under Provisional Sum (PS) and General Works without adequate analysis, manpower assessment, and technical evaluation," said a source involved in the study, "This has led to unnecessary cost escalation."

More than 14 crore 15 lakh was allocated just for the Provisional Sum heading, and over 3 arba 40 crore 55 lakh was allocated for the overall PS heading. The study subcommittee raised questions about this very allocation.

The cost was arbitrarily set in construction work and rate analysis as well. In the rate analysis under construction work, the rates for human labor and construction materials were taken based on different fiscal years. A budget of about 2 arba 22 crore 69 lakh was allocated just for the construction work heading.

"It appears that technically sensitive works such as electrical, sanitary, and HVAC were being pushed forward through collusion without sufficient involvement of experts in the respective fields," said a source involved in the study, "This seems to have been set up right from the design stage."

The study subcommittee recommended that the design, cost estimation, and implementation of such works should be reviewed by independent technical experts.

The person involved in the investigation told Ratopati that the cost estimates for these headings were based on guesswork, which increased the cost. The report indicated that the cost for Electrical Works was set at 51 crore 85 lakh 68 thousand, Sanitary Works at 13 crore 73 lakh 13 thousand, and HVAC at 22 crore 59 lakh 45 thousand, all set arbitrarily without market analysis.

Similarly, costs were arbitrarily set in construction work and rate analysis. In the rate analysis under construction work, the rates for human labor and construction materials were taken based on different fiscal years. A budget of about 2 arba 22 crore 69 lakh was allocated just for the construction work heading.

The committee recommended preparing updated and realistic rates and 'quantities' by including bar bending schedules, design mixes, and transportation costs.

Another individual involved in the study stated that transparency, quality, and good governance were completely disregarded in all processes, from design to execution.

According to the latest report, a 6.5-story building with a height of 29.4 meters will be constructed, and public facilities such as a bank, ATM, modern museum, library, and research section will be located within the building premises.

Furthermore, 10 lifts will be installed, and safe verandas and a 'fire alarm system' will be installed for emergencies. The proposed building will house the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers' office along with 7 ministries. "It is estimated that about 2,000 people will be present here daily," the new report mentions.

Additionally, two substations with a capacity of 2000 kVA will be arranged for power supply, with diesel generators as an alternative source. 'Deep boring' technology is mentioned for water supply.

Questions Raised on Finance Committee Chair, Study Committee Convener Angry

Sources told Ratopati that there is currently a dispute between ruling and opposition lawmakers regarding the study report submitted by the subcommittee to the Finance and Natural Resources Committee in the second week of Magh.

Shahi is a lawmaker from UML. Sources suggest that she might be hesitant to proceed further with the report due to the fear of criticism if it is made public now, given that UML leads the government and includes the minister. One lawmaker from the committee suggests that she might not want to pursue further action on the report due to pressure from the Chief Minister and ministers.

The study subcommittee had submitted its report to the Finance Committee concluding that the project should not proceed without addressing the technical, legal, and financial aspects. Furthermore, the study committee urged the main committee to issue necessary directives and recommendations to the ministry and the directorate to proceed with the project only after implementing the suggested improvements.

However, the Chair of the Finance and Natural Resources Committee, Dakshina Shahi, has shelved the report, stating that further discussion will take place only after the elections (on Falgun 21). When Ratopati tried to inquire about the report from the member secretary, Shahi reportedly called and instructed them not to leak the information.

Shahi is a lawmaker from UML. Sources suggest that she might be hesitant to proceed further with the report due to the fear of criticism if it is made public now, given that UML leads the government and includes the minister. One lawmaker from the committee suggests that she might not want to pursue further action on the report due to pressure from the Chief Minister and ministers.

Sources indicate that there was an exchange of words between ruling and opposition lawmakers in the committee over this issue. The subcommittee convener, Shahi, also expressed disagreement with the chairperson's stance and reportedly stated in the committee meeting that she would speak to the parliament and the media if necessary.

"We want to make the project good, but this is very conspiratorial," Shahi said in the meeting, "I will not participate in the remaining meetings; I don't understand vague accounting, I have reported exactly what I saw."

When questioned by Ratopati, Shahi stated that she could not deviate from the previous report.

The Chair of the Finance Committee, Dakshina Shahi, was reluctant to comment much on this matter. She said, "We will make it public after the elections." Sources claim that regardless of what is said publicly, everything internally is proceeding through a 'setting' mechanism.