Kathmandu, August 2:

The construction of 20 City Service Centres has been delayed, as the Kathmandu Metropolitan

City has failed to provide necessary plots to the contractors. The KMC had signed two separate accords with Arati & Company and Kanchan Trade Links for the construction of 10 movable and 10 immovable structures respectively more than two years ago. Only two City Service Centres (euphemism for public toilets) have been constructed at Khula Manch and Chabahil — which include amenities like bathroom, saloon, communication, lockers to the customers among others — as of now. The Kanchan Trade Links is yet to complete the construction of structures at Ratna Park and Bouddha. “Construction goods worth around Rs 6 million have been dumped as the KMC has not provided us land,” said Tika Bahadur Nepali, director of Arati & Company. The KMC and the companies had agreed on a 10 years’ “Build, Operate and Transfer” contract. As per the agreement, the companies are required to complete the constructions within six months after receiving the land. Chief at Urban Environment Section under Environment Department of the KMC, Rabin Man Shrestha, admitted: “We have already sent three letters to the Department of Roads seeking their approval, but they have not responded yet.”