Non-performing companies will be punished: Minister Jwala

KATHMANDU: Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Prakash Jwala has instructed the construction company that is not working on the Betauna-Biratnagar road section under the Postal Highway to take action.

Minister Jwala phoned the road department and the project head of the Itahari office, instructing the construction company to act immediately.

He directed that the situation be resolved as soon as possible by the subordinate agencies.

The construction of two contracts for the construction of about 18 km road from Betauna to Biratnagar has been stalled for a month. After the construction was stopped, the Itahari office has sent a written correspondence to the builders.

The project stated that if the work is not completed immediately, legal action will be taken against the builders in accordance with the rules of the Public Procurement Act, Regulations, and Contract Agreement.

People’s representatives have been interested in the fact that building of that portion of Postal Highway has been halted in the past. The federal MPs, state assembly members, and five local level people’s representatives attended a news conference today, now that the construction business has halted work.

The working area of the Itahari plan under the Directorate of Postal Highways includes four districts: Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, and Saptari. So far, 20 kilometers of road have been blacklisted out of the five contracts awarded for a total of 44 kilometers.