KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 3
The upgrading work on the Kailali-Kanchanpur road, part of the national pride Postal Highway, has faced delays in recent years due to budget constraints.
Contractors have been held responsible for the slow progress. As of now, only 31 kilometers of the road in the Kailali section have been upgraded, despite four years of efforts.
The entire road's length is 69 kilometers, stretching from the Mohana bridge in Dhangadhi, Kailali, to Satti Khakraula. Road upgrading is ongoing in the remaining section, as reported by the Postal Highway project office in Dhangadhi.
In the north-south direction, out of the 29.5 kilometers from Lamkichuha in Kailali to Satti Khakraula through Tikapur bazaar area, only eight kilometers have been blacktopped. The road upgrading is yet to be completed from Tikapur to Khakraula. Locals have expressed concerns about potholes developing on the single-lane road, causing transportation difficulties.
In the section from Dokebazaar in Kanchanpur to Daiji bazaar through Belauri, 38 out of 62 kilometers have been blacktopped over seven years. The road is fully blacktopped from Dokebazaar to Belauri, while many parts from Belauri to Darji through Beldandi are awaiting tar.
In the previous fiscal year, a budget of Rs 750 million was allocated for road upgrading, and for the current fiscal year, 2023/24, Rs 400 million has been allocated.
The contract for upgrading the Kailali section was awarded in the fiscal year 2076/77 BS, and for the Kanchanpur section in the fiscal year 2073/74.
