Locals Block Highway in Siraha Over Prolonged Road Expansion Delays

Siraha: Frustrated by the persistent delays in the expansion of the Kanchanpur-Kamala section of the East-West Highway and the resulting dust pollution, local residents blocked the road on Friday. Residents of Lahan halted transportation services, citing that the project, which has remained incomplete five years after its commencement, has led to severe health issues and an increased risk of accidents.

The contract for this project was awarded to the Chinese company 'China Railway No. 2 Engineering Group' in June 2020, with construction beginning in October 2020. According to Project Chief Ujwal Shrestha, the 86.82-kilometer road expansion was originally scheduled for completion within three years, by October 2023. However, due to the failure to meet the deadline, the project timeline has been extended three times.

The construction period has been extended by 14 months, then 12 months, and most recently by 6 months, pushing the new deadline to June 2026. The total estimated cost of the project, including variations, is approximately Rs 16.085 billion, with 71.22 percent funded by an Asian Development Bank loan and 28.78 percent by the Government of Nepal.

Five years on, the overall physical progress of the project stands at only 69 percent. The eastern section (39.42 km) has seen about 67 percent completion, while the western section (47.4 km) is between 55 and 60 percent complete. Project Chief Shrestha attributed the slow progress to the COVID-19 pandemic, delays in tree felling and utility pole relocation, shortages of construction materials, and local obstructions.

The sluggish pace of the road expansion has left market areas like Lahan and Mirchaiya blanketed in dust. Locals are reporting respiratory problems, and the presence of incomplete bridges and narrow diversions has heightened the risk of accidents. Shrestha stated that the project office is continuously pressuring the contractor and consultants to expedite the work.