Bhairahawa, June 29

Lack of budget has hit construction of around five dozen bridges in Rupandehi and Nawalparasi.

Division Road Office, Butwal, has awarded the contracts for construction of as many as 57 bridges in Rupandehi and Nawalparasi. Construction work, however, has been left in limbo for want of budget.

Administrative Officer Mukti Pandey at Division Road Office complained that his office had awarded the contracts for construction of 31 bridges in Rupandehi and 26 in Nawalparasi but construction could not gain momentum due to lack of budget. He said his office had asked the contractors to complete construction of at least 17 bridges within this fiscal.

Information Officer Rampukar Jaisawal at the Division Road Office said they had urged the contractors to complete construction of bridges on time.

Technicians at the division office said construction work could not be completed on time due to failure to provide timely payment to contractors. The office has received Rs 230 million to pay the contractors. “This budget is not enough. They have submitted their bills and we are running short of Rs 460 million,” said Jaisawal.

Likewise, the budget crunch has affected several road projects in Rupandehi.