Nuwakot, December 24

More than one year into construction, and only 10 per cent of the national pride Galchhi-Rasuwagadi road has been completed so far. The project agreement was to complete the road in 21 months.

The total 82-kilometre road links the border transit to Kerung in China passing through Trishuli, Mailung and Rasuwagadi.

Under the project, road construction is under way in three sections. The project has been allocated among the Nepali Army, private contractor and Chinese government.  The total cost of the project is worth approximately Rs 9.5 billion,

Tundi Construction Company has received the contract of constructing 46 kilometres  of the road from Galchhi to Mailung, while the army has been contracted to build 18 kilometres road from Mailung to Syaphrubesi. Similarly, the Chinese government has been contracted to construct the remaining 18 kilometres track from Syaphrubesi to Rasuwagadi.

Under the project, construction of the Galchhi-Mailung road has progressed at a snail’s pace. Lack of construction workers, delay in getting approval to dig track through forest area, and in distributing compensation for acquiring land for the project are said to be the reasons behind the delay.

“Construction work is in progress to upgrade the two-lane road into four lanes from Galchhi bazaar in Dhading to Dhunge bazaar in Nuwakot. The locals will benefit from the road in various ways,” said  head of the road project  Subodh Kumar Devkota.