POKHARA, August 14

Seven months since the tender was summoned, upgrading of a part of Bhoopi Sherchan Highway in Pokhara is yet to start.

Upgrading of the 2.9-km stretch from Zero Kilometre of Pokhara sub-metropolis-5 to Bindhyabasini had been awarded to a Kathmandu-based contractor about two months ago with the agreement to complete the project deemed to cost around Rs 151.4 million in two years.

But the work has not started, as electric poles and trees on the road are yet to be cleared.

Minister for Physical Planning and Works Bimalendra Nidhi had laid the foundation stone of the project earlier.

Regarding the delay, contractor Gauri Prasad Upreti said the work would commence once the division road office removed the trees and electric poles. The concerned road division office, on its part, pledged to start the work once it receives funds from the higher authority.

“We are ready to commence the work but are waiting for funds from road department,” said the Chief of Division Road Office, Pokhara, Narendra Subedi.