Saljhandi-Sandhikharka-Dhorpatan Road Project Progresses at 45% Amidst Budgetary Challenges

Butwal. The Saljhandi–Sandhikharka–Dhorpatan road project, initiated in 2065 BS with the objective of connecting the Terai and the hills, has seen its physical progress limited to 45 percent. The government has allocated a budget of 350 million rupees for the upcoming fiscal year (2083/084) for this road project. The project office has stated that the project is multi-year and has a contractual liability of approximately 1 billion rupees. According to the project chief and engineer, Gagol Bahadur Bhandari, the multi-year contract system allows for new contracts up to four times the allocated budget. Based on the 350 million budget, a contract of up to 1.4 billion rupees can be awarded, but the ministry has already sent a letter of source assurance for contracts up to 900 million rupees, he informed. Out of the total 197 kilometers of road, contracts have been awarded and work is underway on only 101 kilometers, while the remaining 96 kilometers are yet to be contracted. The project estimates that more than 7 billion rupees will still be required to complete the road construction. According to project chief Bhandari, the project has been prolonged much more than expected due to the unavailability of the required budget. 'When the budget is low, the project naturally gets delayed, which also increases the government's cost,' he said. The project's cost, initially estimated at around 10 billion rupees, has now increased to 13 billion rupees. The project has reported that only about 45 percent of the work has been completed in 18 years, with 56 percent of the work still remaining. Currently, construction work is being carried out through seven contracts under the project. The office has stated that preparations are underway to publish a notice for new contracts by the end of Asar and sign contracts by the end of Asoj, after receiving the source assurance of 900 million rupees from the ministry. A budget of 404.9 million rupees was allocated for this project in the current fiscal year. Previously, budgets allocated were 462.9 million in FY 2081/082, 190 million in 2080/081, 409.6 million in 2079/080, 359.4 million in 2078/079, 179.9 million in 2077/078, and 253.8 million in 2076/077. As it is a multi-year project, contracts are awarded for amounts exceeding the allocated budget each year. More than 5 billion rupees have been spent since the project began. While the track opening work of this road has been fully completed, the expansion, upgrading, and blacktopping work is progressing slowly due to budget constraints. If the current situation persists, the project estimates it will take at least five more years to complete. Project chief engineer Bhandari of the Saljhandi–Sandhikharka–Dhorpatan road construction project, where 56 percent of the work remains due to the government's inability to allocate the necessary budget each year, told Ratopati. What work has been done so far? The track opening work of the Saljhandi–Sandhikharka–Dhorpatan road project, which connects the Terai and the hills, has been completed. The project office has stated that out of the total 197 kilometers of road, 36 kilometers of blacktopping have been completed so far. Accordingly, 5 kilometers in Rupandehi, 4 kilometers in Palpa, and approximately 27 kilometers of road in Arghakhanchi have been blacktopped. Five bridges have been constructed during this period. The design work for the Dobhan (Doval) Khola bridge in Arghakhanchi and the Baulabhasha bridge in Baglung is ongoing. The contract for the construction of 13 kilometers of road from Kanchan Khola to Khursane in Rupandehi has been canceled due to non-completion within the stipulated time. The section, contracted for approximately 25 million rupees by Raman–Obhav JV, had only completed work worth about 9 million rupees. Despite repeated reminders, the contract was canceled due to lack of progress, and the bank guarantee of 68.4 million rupees was forfeited and deposited into the government of Nepal's account, the project office stated. Currently, the blacktopping work of 22 kilometers of road from Khursane in Palpa to Patauti in Arghakhanchi is progressing rapidly. Similarly, blacktopping of 7 kilometers of road from Mate to Bhadar in Sandhikharka is being prepared. In Gulmi, 19 kilometers from Purkotdaha to Arkhabang, 7 kilometers from Sirseni to Gangare, and 26 kilometers from Purkotdaha to Sirseni are under construction under the multi-year contract system. In Baglung, the blacktopping work of the Falleghara–Deurali road has reached the final stage, while graveling work is ongoing on approximately 22 kilometers of road from Taribang–Falleghara. According to the project, preparations are underway to publish separate notices for two new contracts for Arghakhanchi and Baglung from the assured 900 million rupees by the end of this Asar. Upon completion of the road construction, smooth transportation from Lumbini to Dhorpatan is expected, providing convenience for tourists visiting Lumbini to reach Dhorpatan, and a significant increase in economic and tourism activities in Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Gulmi, and Baglung is anticipated.