KATHMANDU: Construction of the western section of the Muglin–Pokhara road upgrade project under the Prithvi Highway has slowed down.

The road expansion and upgrading work, which started five years ago, remains incomplete despite repeated deadline extensions.

This 38.71-kilometer road section, stretching from Jamune in Tanahun to the Seti Bridge in Pokhara, falls under the western section.

Although the project’s deadline was extended for the third time in January, pushing it to the upcoming June 29, the latest progress indicates that the construction will definitely not be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

According to project officials, the construction has been adversely affected by disruptions in petroleum supply, rising prices of construction materials, and continuous rainfall in recent days.

Due to the price hikes, the construction company stated it has been unable to maintain the expected momentum on non-essential works. Krishna Bahadur Kunwar, the project chief of the Muglin–Pokhara Road Project (Western Section), shared that the physical progress of the project stands at 78 percent so far.

He informed that out of the total road section, the first layer of blacktopping has been completed on 38 kilometers, while the second layer has been done on 37.28 kilometers.

Under this project, 20.55 kilometers of four-lane road and 18.16 kilometers of four-lane road with service lanes are to be constructed.

Project Chief Kunwar explained that fuel shortages have had a direct impact on construction, noting that while the construction company requires 4,000 liters of diesel daily, only 1,500 liters are currently available.

He added that the skyrocketing prices of construction materials have made it extremely difficult to finish the project on time.

Meanwhile, the project’s information officer, Ananta Baral, mentioned that work is currently underway in the blacktopped areas to construct service lanes, complete road markings, apply thermoplastic paint, and install ‘W-Beam’ road safety barriers.

Financed by Nepal’s major development partner, the Asian Development Bank, the contract for the western section was awarded to the Chinese company Yanhui Kaiyuan Highway and Bridge Construction for Rs 7.40 billion.

The construction agreement for this section was signed on May 16, 2021, and the work officially commenced on August 28, 2021.