Budget Shortages Impact Multi-Year Road Projects in Myagdi

March 24, Myagdi – Due to budget shortages, the construction of strategically important multi-year road projects managed by the Gandaki Province government in Myagdi district has been hampered.

Contractors have not received payments after the infrastructure development office exhausted its allocated budget for these multi-year projects. According to the office, NPR 620 million was allocated this fiscal year for 32 road infrastructure projects in Myagdi.

Subashchandra Karki, a construction contractor, reported that although the blacktopping and graveling of a four-kilometer section from Bhutadaila to Toripani on the Beni–Pakhapani road was completed five months ahead of schedule, delayed payments due to budget shortfalls are causing difficulties. NPR 20 million was allocated for this project, yet there remains a funding gap of NPR 25 million.

Contractor Bhim Sapkota, responsible for the Galechour–Pulashram (Pachhai)–Jagannath connecting road, also completed the project five months ahead of schedule. However, because of budget constraints, he had to take out loans to pay workers and suppliers. Contractors Neeraj Bhandari, managing the Hadhebhir–Bagarfat–Bhakimli and Bhagawati–Sijalgaon–Beg road projects, stated that work was suspended after funds ran out.

Out of the total projects, 17 ongoing projects received NPR 520 million while 15 new projects were allocated NPR 100 million. Except for the Darbang–Takam–Shivang–Muna–Jaljala–Dhorpatan road, which was awarded last year under a cost-sharing agreement between federal and provincial governments with a budget allocation of NPR 232.2 million this year, most roads are experiencing budget shortages, said Dr. Mahendra Baniya, senior divisional engineer and head of the infrastructure development office.

“During the competitive bidding process, approximately NPR 15 million was internally transferred with an additional NPR 84.5 million recommended for reallocation by the ministry,” he said. “Due to projects with no available funds, work could not proceed, and for projects where the budget is depleted, contractors face challenges employing labor. “

Multi-year projects in Electoral Constituency 1(2) include Beni–Darbang–Kalleni–Takam–Muna–Jaljala, Darbang–Adibahara–Dadagaun–Sole–Taman–Burtibang, roads connecting Pakher Baranja 3 and 4 through Mahesh Dhapung to Tarakhola rural municipality, Darbang–Muna–Dhorpatan, Darbang–Bim–Dichyam, darkhola road bridge, Shivaratri River road bridge, the road connecting Rum to Tarakhola, Dangkhola bridge, and Sanwata Thapachaur suspension bridge.

In Electoral Constituency 1(A), ongoing multi-year road construction projects include Beni–Toripani; Hadhebhir–Bagarfat–Dudhekola–Hallegouda–Dolemusung; Galechour–Piple–Bhagawati; Galechour–Pulashram; Chitre–Ghodepani; and Bhagawati–Sijalgaon–Beg.

Bids have been called for multi-year contracts for road upgrade projects such as Bim–Marang–Malkwang–Pakhapani and Jaisikhor–Khaharekhola–Risin Chautari via Baisari, each allocated NPR 10 million. Funding sources have been secured for multi-year contracts to construct a Bailey bridge over the Myagdi River, an alternative route for the Faparkhet landslide area, also allocated NPR 10 million.

Provincial assembly members Resham Bahadur Jugjali and Haribahadur Bhandari reported that they have drawn the attention of the provincial government and relevant ministers to the issue of extended project timelines caused by budget shortages. They also stated that efforts are underway to secure payments for contractors who have extended their work despite the shortfall.