Bhaktapur, Nepal – February 27, 2025
The Bhaktapur Division Road Office has officially cancelled the contract for the under-construction Dhulikhel-Khawa road section, a critical part of the Araniko Highway, citing significant delays and lack of progress by the contractor company.
The 4-kilometer road section, which connects the district headquarters Dhulikhel to Khawa, was awarded to Gauri Parvati Nirman Sewa Pvt. Ltd. in Jestha 2079 BS under a contract worth NPR 200.194 million. The project was expected to be completed by Chaitra 2080 BS. However, the contractor failed to meet the deadline, leaving the project incomplete even 11 months after the stipulated timeline. The road, which is vital for connecting Sindhupalchok’s Tatopani border and other districts like Dolakha and Ramechhap, remains in a dilapidated condition, causing hardship for travelers and road users.
Despite repeated warnings and follow-ups, including parliamentary monitoring by the Infrastructure Committee, the contractor failed to make satisfactory progress. In response, the Road Division issued a final clarification notice on Magh 19. The company’s explanation, however, was deemed unsatisfactory and unreliable, leading to the contract's termination.
Speaking about the decision, Suman Yogesh, Chief of the Road Office, stated, “We will reopen the tender process within one to two weeks after completing the necessary procedures. Adjustments will be made based on the physical and financial progress achieved so far.” According to the office, only 25% financial progress had been achieved to date.
So far, the completed work includes hill-cutting from Dhulikhel Bus Park to the zipline area and minor drainage construction. However, major works such as road cutting, base laying, and blacktopping remain incomplete. Heavy monsoon rains last year washed away parts of the road, leaving it in a precarious condition.
The delay has caused immense suffering for commuters and freight operators over the past two years. Numerous accidents have been reported due to the poor condition of the road, which was reopened for travel without proper completion.
This road section was designed to be a 12-meter-wide blacktopped highway with enhanced load-bearing capacity for heavy vehicles. For the first time in Nepal, the project included plans to use a 20-centimeter cement-treated base over gravel, along with two-layer blacktopping with DBM and asphalt.
The Dhulikhel-Khawa road is a crucial artery for facilitating trade and travel between Nepal and China through the northern Tatopani border, as well as connecting Dolakha and Ramechhap districts. The cancellation of the contract highlights the urgent need for timely project management and accountability to ensure sustainable infrastructure development.
Ecosphere News will continue to follow updates on the re-tendering process and the progress of this critical infrastructure project.
