The budget might get frozen this year as well due to the delay in submission of the project reports

Phidim, December 20

Three years have elapsed since the government announced programmes to develop ten model cities along the Mid-Hill Highway as part of its urban development project.

But the projects have failed to take off even five months into the current fiscal year.

Ribs Engineering Consult and Nepal Development Consultancy Phidim had been awarded the contract for preparing a master plan to develop Phidim as a model city. As part of the plan, various infrastructure projects had been mooted. But no progress has been made so far.

“As the consultants have yet to submit their reports, it is likely that the budget might get frozen this year as well,” said Bijaya Bikram Subba, former chairperson of the Town Development Committee, Phidim.

Sudip Poudel, deputy chief of New City Project, Phidim, said the consultants have halted works after a case was filed against them.

The project had acquisitioned six ropani and 12 anna land to develop basic infrastructures for the city development project.

Similarly, though another 50 ropani land was purchased for the construction of a landfill site. “If the works do not start soon, the budget will freeze this year as well,” said Panchthar Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairperson Mitra Prasad Kafle.