Himal Press 
This undated photo shows Narayanghat-Muglin road section.
KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that a resolution will soon be reached regarding the delays in the construction of the Narayangadh-Butwal section of the East-West Highway.
During a discussion held on Thursday, Oli warned that there would be no alternative to terminating the contract if work doesn’t resume by mid-December. The meeting saw the participation of ministers, ministry officials, and lawmakers from Rupandehi, Nawalparasi (West) and Nawalparasi (East), among others.
“While it’s appropriate to continue with the current construction company if they can work reliably, we must avoid the tendency of companies holding projects hostage for 28 years after taking responsibility,” Oli stated. “The work hasn’t progressed at the speed and level we expected. Local people in the area have been suffering from dust and pollution for a long time. Economic development activities have also been affected. Government agencies need to take this matter seriously. I am paying close attention to this issue. We have reached a point where decisive action is necessary.”
During the meeting, Bhagauti Yadav Rudal, chief of the District Coordination Committee, Nawalparasi (East), submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Oli, drawing the attention of the government toward slow work progress in the road section.
The government awarded the contract to build this road section to China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) on March 22, 2019, with a completion deadline of August 7, 2022. The project has achieved 44% financial progress and 52% physical progress, according to project officials.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Poudel, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Devendra Dahal, Minister for Land Management and Cooperatives Balram Adhikari and Physical Infrastructure Secretary Keshav Sharma, among others, were present in the meeting.
Physical Infrastructure Minister Dahal said in the meeting that work on the road section has not resumed despite repeated follow-ups with the construction company. He added that the company has promised to restart work by the end of December.
