RAUTAHAT: At a time when government is receiving wide criticism for failing to take actions against negligent contractors as promised, yet again, Pappu Construction, one of the much criticised entities has landed in a fresh controversy over Lal Bakaiya boat capsize incident.

The locals of Gaur and surrounding regions, citing the lives the river has claimed in absence of a bridge, have expressed dissent over government’s inability to take action against the contractor, Pappu Construction for delay in completion of bridge construction project.

The contractor had bagged the contract of a concrete bridge construction project for an amount of Rs 160.68 million with a deadline of July 15, 2017. However, the locals are concerned as the state has failed to bat an eye on the issue putting more lives at risk.

“With no bridges over the river, we are forced to risk our lives while crossing it on a boat and the state is not positive about being responsible to save our lives,” a local of Banjraha, Gaur said.

According to youth leader of ruling party NCP (NCP), Shambhu Shah, the government must question Hari Narayan Rauniyar, proprietor of Pappu Construction, over the delay in construction.

A day ago, a boat ferrying around 30 passengers including women and children capsized mid-way as strong water currents in the flooded river rammed it into a pillar of an under construction bridge for which Pappu Construction  had bagged the construction contract during erstwhile Prime Minister Late Sushil Koirala led government's rule.

Two missing women were found dead eight kilometres away from Tikuliya in neighbouring region of India on Sunday while the whereabouts of a minor girl and three others remains unknown.

The Tikuliya village which witnessed deaths following the incident during the eve of Rakshya Bandhan has gone into mourning.