CHAUTARA: Police have taken under custody a contractor for delaying construction activities on different pretexts, in Chautara of Sindhupalchok on Wednesday.

Dharma Raj Bhandari, a contractor of Sunaulo Khimti JV, assigned to upgrade and blacktop the Khadichaur-Mudhe section of Lamosanghu-Jiri roadway was arrested, said Superintendent of Police, Mohan Pokharel.

The upgrading and blacktopping of the 25-km road was contracted for an amount worth Rs 390 million. However, the main contractor was an Indian company, Simanchal/Gauri.

As per the contract, the activity had to be completed a month back. The locals had been questioning the postponement of upgrading since last Dashain.