Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The government has canceled the contract for the construction of the Dhulikhel-Khawa section of the Araniko Highway in Kavre district.
The Division Road Office, Bhaktapur, took the decision by publishing a public notice on Thursday. It has cited delays and non-compliance by the contractor as the primary reasons.
Gauri Parvati Construction had bagged the contract to upgrade the four-kilometer road section in 2022 for Rs 201.94 million on June 3, 2022. The project was to be completed by April 1, 2024.
The project aimed to widen the road to 12 meters and implement advanced construction techniques, including a 20-centimeter thick cement-treated gravel base—a first in Nepal—followed by two layers of dense bituminous macadam (DBM) and asphalt concrete.
The project has achieved only 20% financial progress even though 11 months have passed since the construction deadline expired.
The Division Road Office, Bhaktapur, had sought clarification from the construction company last month following growing public criticism and instruction from the parliamentary Infrastructure Committee. Since the clarifications submitted by the contractor were not deemed satisfactory, the office decided to cancel the contract.
The delay in construction has caused significant inconvenience to commuters and road users. Araniko Highway connects the Nepal-Tibet border in Tatopani as well as Dolakha, Ramechhap, Sindhupalchowk and Kavre with the federal capital Kathmandu.
