Two construction companies that failed to complete their work on time have been blacklisted for three years. The joint contractors, Pappu–Mahadev Khimti, who were awarded the contract to build the Kankai Bridge in Jhapa, were blacklisted after failing to construct the bridge even after 14 years.

The Public Procurement Monitoring Office issued a notice on Friday, blacklisting these two along with a total of nine companies. Companies that are blacklisted cannot participate in new contract processes for three years. “However, they can continue work on contracts that were already underway,” said Ram Prasad Acharya, Undersecretary and Spokesperson of the Public Procurement Monitoring Office.

After the “JEN–JI” movement, Kulman Ghising, who became Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, instructed that the contract be terminated due to the lack of progress in bridge construction for a long time. Accordingly, the contract was terminated on 11 Mangsir, 14 years after the agreement. Following the termination, the Project Office under the Postal Highway Directorate, Itahari, wrote to the Public Procurement Monitoring Office requesting blacklisting. The Public Procurement Monitoring Office made the decision to blacklist both companies seven and a half months after receiving the letter.

Pappu Construction, which was awarded the Kankai Bridge contract, was blacklisted by the Public Procurement Monitoring Office after leaving other projects incomplete as well. This company belongs to former Member of Parliament Hari Narayan Rauniyar. After Pappu failed to carry out the work, Mahadev Khimti, which had taken the contract as a JV partner, was executing the project. Mahadev Khimti Construction belongs to former President of the Federation of Contractors’ Associations of Nepal, Ravi Singh.

After the contract was terminated on 11 Mangsir 2082, the construction company filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court seeking an interim order. However, the court did not grant an interim order. Despite being given multiple opportunities to complete the work, the contractors failed to do so, leading to the contract’s termination and the subsequent recommendation for blacklisting, according to Kubera Nepali, Director of the Postal Highway Directorate.

According to the contract agreement signed on 31 Jestha 2068, the bridge was supposed to be completed by 30 Jestha 2072. At that time, the estimated cost was 340.9 million rupees. Even after the fifth extension, progress was only at 60 percent.

Locals are angry with political leaders due to the hardships faced crossing the Kankai River. During the dry season, locals are forced to use a temporary bamboo bridge to cross the river. In the monsoon, boats are operated. The local government tenders out the management of the ferry and boats. A single river crossing costs 50 rupees, and 100 rupees with a motorcycle, causing further hardship for locals.

The Kankai River bridge, which connects Jhapa and Gauriganj Rural Municipality, is considered the backbone of the Postal Highway. The highway, known as the “lifeline” of the Tarai–Madhesh from Jhapa to Kanchanpur, remains incomplete without the Kankai Bridge. The Postal Highway Directorate has stated that the construction company’s guarantee has already been confiscated following the contract termination. However, a new contract has not yet been awarded.

Director Kubera Nepali of the Postal Highway Directorate said that since the bridge work is still under evaluation, it will take time to award a new contract. “There is a lot of work underground on the bridge, so everything must be technically assessed,” he said. “A decision has not yet been made on which construction model to use; alternatives are being explored.” According to Nepali, only after the monsoon will all processes be completed and a new contract announced.

Shrestha Construction Company, which failed to carry out work under a contract with the Directorate, has been blacklisted for three years. The main person of this company is Subash Shrestha. Bharat–Siddhisai JV, which failed to work on a contract under the Pushpalal (Mid-Hill) Highway, Parbat Project Office, has been blacklisted for one year.