Gaighat, June 26

Construction work has been halted due to lack of construction materials along the Dharan-Chatara-Hetauda road section.

Construction work was obstructed after District Coordination Committee, Udayapur, and Police administration banned mining in rivers in mid-June.

Project Manager NirmanPokhrel at ZIC Lama and Sharma Joint Venture said road construction work was halted after extraction of stone, gravel and sand, among other construction materials, from rivers was banned. “The government needs to assure that work on national pride projects do not get obstructed,” he added. Pokhrel said the police administration had enforced the ban as per the DCC directive.

Local Development Officer Shiva Prasad Humagain said the local level has the right to use its local resources. “However, resources have to be used by remaining within the set criteria,” he added.

ZIC Lama and Sharma JV was entrusted with constructing the 134-kilometre road section from BirendraChowk of Chaudandi Municipality to Bhiman of Sindhuli within three years. The construction work had started two years ago.