Lamjung, May 4 Construction of Bhachowk Drinking Water Project meant for supplying drinking water for the district headquarters, Besisahar has remained sluggish with just 45 per cent of the work completed. The project that started two years ago is supposed to complete by this fiscal. Besisahar Drinking Water and Sanitation Consumers’ Committee Chair Krishna Kumar Pradhan blamed contractor’s negligence for the snail-paced work on the project. He said the project was delayed due to the negligence of contractor Mahadev Khimti Parajuli JV. He said it was unfortunate that only 45 per cent work was completed till date. The construction work had started from the beginning of 2017 fiscal. Proprietor Satis Parajuli of Mahadev Khimti Parajuli JV admitted the delay on the project. He added that change in project design, delay in contract agreement and delay in construction of a bridge over Marsyandi River were the reasons for delayed construction. The estimated project cost is around Rs 290 million. The project is located six kilometres away from Besisahar in Bhachowk Khola. The work on intake of the project and 65 per cent work on water processing centre has been completed. Likewise, construction of two ponds having capacity of eight lakh litres of water has been completed and work on construction of a pond with five lakhs litres capacity is under way. Sub-engineer Trilochan Poudel of Besisahar Drinking Water and Sanitation Consumers’ Committee said work to connect the main drinking water line and extension of the sub-line in Besisahar were under way. Chief at Besisahar Drinking Water and Sanitation Consumers’ Committee Bishnu Bahadur Adhikari said the locals would be relieved of drinking water problem after completion of the project.