PALPA, DECEMBER 24
Construction of a cold storage at Tansen Municipality in Palpa has been left in limbo, thanks to sheer negligence of the contractor.
The construction work had started 10 years ago with two-year term, but it has witnessed just 27 per cent progress till date. According to the municipality, 33 feet in height, 26 metres in length and 14 metres in width, the project with capacity of storing 2,000tonnes of seeds, agricultural products and fruits aims to provide service to farmers of Palpa, Gulmi, Argakhanchi, Syangja and Parbat districts. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu provided financial assistance for the project.
The construction companies, Himdung & Thokar and Jaya Raktakali JB, had won the contract on 6 March 2013 at over Rs 49 million with the completion deadline being 6 June 2014.
"Negligence of the construction companies has caused delay. Completion deadline has been extended five times. Now, they have applied for deadline extension once again. We are not assured that the project will be completed," said technician Tikaram Somai, who works for the municipality.
The companies have received a payment of over Rs 20 million so far. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy has inspected the cold storage. Second secretary at the embassy Prashant Sona has asked for resumption of the project.
A version of this article appears in the print on December 25, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
