Key Takeaways:

• Rs 200m for Martadi–Kolti road and Rs 135m for Khaptad–Jaybageshwari–Dogadi–Martadi road lapsed in FY 2025/26
• Locals say delays disrupt transport, road impassable during monsoon
• Federal and provincial governments financing under complementary grant programme

BAJURA, JULY 26 More than Rs 330 million allocated for two of Sudurpashchim Province's flagship road projects in Bajura was returned unspent in the last fiscal year after contractors failed to carry out the assigned works, delaying long-awaited upgrades in the remote mountain district. According to the Infrastructure Development Office, Achham, Rs 200 million earmarked for the Martadi–Kolti road and around Rs 135 million allocated for the Khaptad–Jaybageshwari–Gairikhad–Dogadi–Atichaur–Martadi road project lapsed during fiscal year 2025/26 due to poor progress by contractors. The Martadi–Kolti road contractor, PS Baniya Construction Service, failed to complete scheduled works despite repeated deadline extensions, resulting in the return of the entire Rs 200 million allocation. Officials said this is not the first time the project has lost budget - in the previous fiscal year, more than Rs 135 million out of a Rs 150 million allocation also remained unspent. Similarly, the Khaptad road project returned about Rs 135 million after contractor KSMKBC/Tej JV of Dhangadhi made only Rs 25 million worth of progress despite receiving a budget allocation of Rs 165 million. The contract was signed in April 2022.

The Martadi–Kolti road project has faced prolonged delays since the contract was awarded in June 2020. PS Baniya Construction secured the 26‑kilometre blacktopping contract worth Rs 501.7 million, with work originally scheduled for completion within three years. Despite multiple deadline extensions, the project has achieved only about 50 percent physical progress. The 41‑kilometre Martadi–Kolti road, which began construction in 1999, remains incomplete after 26 years. Local residents say the delay continues to disrupt transportation, with the road frequently becoming impassable during the monsoon. The first 9‑kilometre stretch from Martadi has seen substantial progress, while much of the remaining section between Chuthi and Dhamkane is yet to be blacktopped. The project is financed jointly by the federal and provincial governments under a complementary grant programme.