Nepal

Newly built structures peeling off

Newly built structures peeling off

By Himalayan News Service

Panchthar, August 7 Physical infrastructure constructed hurriedly to prevent the budget from freezing in the last fiscal have started peeling off in Panchthar. There’s a big question mark on the quality of development projects being completed hurriedly to finish the allocated budget.  Two persons have lost their lives due to the poor quality of infrastructure in Panchthar. Jagat Rai and Rudra Rai of Hilihang Rural Municipality died after the roof of the under-construction temple at Yalamber Park fell on them on June 21. Landslides are yet to stop as boulders were extracted for the upgradation of the road with the onset of monsoon along the Mechi Highway at Phalgunanda Rural Municipality, Panchthar. Thousands of passengers travelling in hundreds of vehicles have been facing problems due to this. The wall of Phidim Secondary School collapsed on July 20. A house near the school sustained damage after the wall fell. Similarly, the walls of Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Centre, which were constructed hurriedly in mid-July, have also collapsed. Senior engineer Prem Kafle said the incidents had increased due to negligence during construction of the infrastructure. Spokesperson for Hilihang Rural Municipality Madan Gautam said the budget was cleared before completion of Yalamber Park. Not only the temple of Hilihang, but also the walls of the school playground and Veterinary Hospital collapsed. However, many projects that were constructed hurriedly to save the allocated amount from freezing have been left in limbo.