Construction of Model Veterinary Hospital in Tanahun Faces Repeated Delays

Tanahun. The construction of a model hospital building within the premises of the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Center in Byas Municipality-3, Damauli, Tanahun, remains incomplete. Despite multiple extensions, the construction of this Gandaki Province pride project has yet to be finished.

The construction deadline has been extended for a fourth time to ensure the completion of the model animal hospital, which is a priority project for the provincial government. Rabinson Adhikari, Chief of the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Center, stated that the deadline has been extended until Jestha 10, 2083 BS.

The center reported that physical progress has reached 77 percent, while financial progress stands at 54.34 percent. The contract was signed with Eka Builders Khairahani Chitwan Pvt. Ltd. on Shrawan 12, 2078 BS, with a completion deadline of Poush 12, 2079 BS. After failing to meet the initial deadline, the contract was extended for a third time until the end of Kartik 2082 BS. Following further delays, the deadline was pushed to Jestha 10, 2083 BS.

Adhikari noted that the failure to complete the project after three extensions has hindered service delivery for livestock farmers. The project remains in a state of limbo due to a lack of significant progress. Following the latest extension, Rs 2 million has been paid to the construction company in the current fiscal year.

He added that the lack of a building has stalled the installation of necessary equipment and the expansion of services. The construction of model animal hospitals was initiated simultaneously in Tanahun and Kaski districts. The center noted that the building in Kaski has been completed and is currently providing services. The Gandaki provincial government had signed the contract at a cost of Rs 49 million, excluding VAT. Although the goal was to gradually expand the hospital's physical infrastructure under a multi-year plan, even the basic structure remains incomplete.

It is estimated that approximately Rs 100 million will be required for full operation with all infrastructure. The two-and-a-half-story building is designed to have 23 rooms, including emergency, surgery, radiology, and pathology departments. The hospital was initiated in the heart of the province to provide quality veterinary services. Once completed within the newly extended timeframe, the hospital will provide accessible animal health services to residents of Tanahun, Lamjung, Gorkha, Manang, Kaski, Nawalpur, and Syangja districts.