Once the new process begins, the chances of getting quick benefits from the related projects will increase. Mainly, there will be a strong contribution to good governance. Therefore, the current government should finalize this process without any pressure or influence.
The process of terminating the contracts of several projects that the public perceived as development projects but did not benefit from for years has begun. The government formed after the Gen-G movement has moved forward with the process of terminating the contracts of sick projects, ending the confusion that has existed for years.
This has also paved the way for punishing construction companies that do not perform and starting a new process. If this process is completed, many development projects that have been lying idle will be freed from neglect and irresponsibility. After the new process is started, the possibility of getting benefits from the related projects will increase quickly. Mainly, there will be a strong contribution to good governance. Therefore, the current government should finalize this process without any pressure or influence.
When any development project is completed on time, the people will benefit from it quickly. They will be able to implement commercial and business plans. Productivity will increase. The country's confidence in development work will also increase, and the citizens' trust and loyalty to the state will also increase. However, many people know the day the construction of our development projects begins, and it is difficult to even predict the day of completion.
The situation where the contract process starts but there is no sense of responsibility to complete the construction work on time was going on in such a way that such a trend was considered natural and even normal. The current government is trying to disrupt the status quo by taking the initiative to break the contract of sick projects.
It has been 14 years since the contract was signed for the construction of the Kankai Bridge in Jhapa, but the progress is only 56 percent. The contract for the construction of the 725-meter-long bridge was signed on 29 Jestha 2068, and the work was supposed to be completed on 29 Jestha 2072. It is not certain when it will be completed. There is only 48 percent progress in the construction and improvement of the Gothatar road section, for which the contract was signed on 16 Falgun 2067.
However, according to the contract agreement, its work was supposed to be completed on 30 Jestha 2068. These two projects are just common examples, here even projects that are said to be of national pride have not been completed on time. Be it projects under the influence of powerful leaders or projects contracted by influential construction entrepreneurs, delay has become a fundamental characteristic.
Development projects have become images of waiting and frustration due to not being completed on time. The contract was signed on 8 Chaitra 2075 for the Narayangadh-Butwal road section upgrade plan. Although the work was supposed to be completed by 22 Shrawan 2079, the deadline has had to be extended repeatedly. Due to the incomplete construction work, the Daunne road section is dusty and muddy, making travel difficult when the sun shines and when it rains.
Passengers have had to suffer. The incident of a boat accident at Tikuliya Ghat on the Lalbakaiya River in Rautahat in Bhadau in 2075 is also relevant. Pappu Construction had taken the contract to build a bridge there. According to which, there was an agreement to complete the work by Asad 25, 2074. But the work was not completed on time. Instead, an accident occurred one year after the deadline for completion of the work, which even claimed the lives of people. This seems to have caused the stalled project to cause people's deaths.
Why was this happening? No one had to be held accountable. No one had to take action. Although potential beneficiaries of the related projects raised questions from time to time, no concrete steps were taken at the state level to address this trend. Instead, a relationship of double benefit was emerging between leaders and administrative personnel and the contractor.
Due to their connections with political parties and leadership, it had become commonplace for contractors to get election tickets, become ministers and MPs. They had become more powerful and influential. This was pushing politics towards distortion. The government's decision to terminate contracts that were unlikely to be completed on time or were not active in that direction will also purify politics.
For the purpose of terminating the contract, the concerned offices are issuing 15-day public notices in the name of the concerned construction companies, asking, 'Why not terminate the contract?' In this process, 18 irrigation contracts have been terminated.
208 road contracts and 6 suspension bridge contracts are also in the process of terminating. The process of terminating the contract and taking action against the contractor will be completed in a few days. But the main goal is still to complete the construction work as soon as possible.
If one contract process is terminated and another contract is not awarded or if such a contractor also delays, the people will not benefit. The basis should be laid for the timely completion of the construction work and ensuring quality. For that, the current government should not only keep its intentions clear, but also make the methods strong and practical. At the same time, the government should also be serious about resolving the 'site clearance' and payment problems.
