Chowkidanda-Faltude road abandoned for six years; Ward offices to operate on site to pressure contractors

Dhangadhi: The construction of the Chowkidanda-Faltude road, agreed upon six years ago, remains incomplete, leaving locals struggling with daily transportation.

Negligence by contractor companies has delayed the project, prompting the ward chairpersons of Godavari Municipality Wards 3, 10, 11, and 12 to announce that ward office operations will be conducted on the road to pressure the contractors. From Wednesday, ward work will begin on the road in Chaklekhola.

Bhim Bahadur Khadka, chairman of Ward No. 12, stated that Theging and Tedi Construction Services, entrusted with the road’s construction, have failed to fulfill their commitments despite repeated reminders. Ward No. 3 chairman Tejraj Awasthi added that even if contractors resume work temporarily, they abandon it shortly after.

The stalled road construction has led to lost employment opportunities and daily commuting difficulties for locals. The first section (2,200 meters) was assigned to Kalika Construction in 2077 BS, while the second section (2.5 kilometers) was contracted to Adventure, Theging, and Sunlight JV in Bhadra 2077 BS. The third section (3 kilometers) was assigned to Tedi Nirman Seva in 2079 BS, yet six years later, work remains incomplete. The fourth section (800 meters) falls under federal government oversight. This 38-kilometer road was planned as an alternative to the Bhimdatta Highway.

Fragmented planning, lack of government coordination, and contractor negligence have prevented the blacktop road from reaching Olani. Ward chairpersons have warned that protests will escalate, including surrounding concerned offices and implementing other pressure tactics, until contractors commit to completing the work.