Jajarkot, April 1

Locals complained that the contractor had used sub-standard materials for blacktopping the six-kilometre Shantichaur Buspark-Kalegaun road section in Khalanga, Jajarkot.

Locals vented anger at the contractor company for its negligent work.

Jajarkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry General Secretary Inshwori Khatri said Rajendra Jaljala Construction JV had used sub-standard construction materials for blacktopping. Khatri added that the authority concerned had kept mum over the issue.

District dwellers were irked after the construction company started blacktopping the road without adopting measures to prevent possible landslides in areas prone to landslips.

The Federation of Nepali Journalists Jajarkot Chapter Chairman Bhim Bahadur Singh said they had informed the authorities about the problem but nothing was done.

However, proprietor of the construction company Prajit Lama blamed the locals for the poor work saying they had frequently obstructed the blacktopping project unnecessarily. “The villagers neither permitted us to expand the road nor allowed us to dig a drainage trench,” he added.

Bheri Municipality Mayor Chandra Prakash Gharti said he would look into the matter and try to find the truth. “I will hold discussion among stakeholders and act accordingly,” he assured.