KATHMANDU: The government is set to terminate 234 road and bridge construction contracts that have remained incomplete for years under the Federal Road Supervision and Monitoring Office.

The stalled contracts include 38 in Damak, 75 in Kathmandu, 39 in Pokhara, 49 in Surkhet, 16 on the Postal Highway, and 17 on the Mid-Hill Highway.

Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Kulman Ghising said a committee will investigate officials, past and present, who allowed these projects to remain idle.

He stressed that the move is intended to end the practice of contractors securing advances and diverting funds elsewhere without delivering results.

Contracts will be scrapped if they have over 100 percent time extension but less than 50 percent progress on works above Rs 20 million, over 200 percent extension with less than 80 percent progress, or over 400 percent extension with less than 95 percent progress.

Ghising also warned against irregularities, delays, bribery, or harassment of service users by ministry staff, instructing employees to report misconduct immediately.