KATHMANDU, Dec 24: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Kulman Ghising has said that significant progress has been made in reviving long-stalled development projects by terminating non-performing contracts.
Unveiling the ministry’s 100-day progress report at a press conference on Wednesday, Minister Ghising said the government has adopted a zero-tolerance approach toward delays, negligence and excuses that have left projects incomplete for years. He stressed that citizens should not be deprived of development benefits due to weak decision-making, poor contractor management or systemic shortcomings.
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According to the minister, around 40 non-performing contracts worth nearly Rs 3 billion under the Department of Roads, including the long-stalled Kankai Bridge in Jhapa, have been terminated. A further 150 contracts are currently in the process of termination. He said fresh procurement procedures have already been initiated to ensure the projects do not remain stalled again.
Ghising also said infrastructure damaged during the Gen-Z protests has been repaired and services restored. During the period, eight kilometres of four-lane roads, 160 kilometres of two-lane roads and 10 bridges have been completed. Concrete lining of the main and bypass tunnels of the Siddhababa Tunnel Project has been finished, while the BP Highway has been temporarily reopened with permanent reconstruction processes underway.
Other achievements include a Rs 34.49 billion yen loan agreement with the Japanese government for improvement of the Koteshwor intersection, preparation of the National Transport Policy and Road Safety Action Plan, and progress on the Nagdhunga Tunnel operation.
The ministry has also advanced work on printing smart driving licence cards, data centre maintenance, passenger assistance desks, and railway infrastructure, including 400 metres of track bed construction under the East-West Railway Project. Additionally, a gazette notice has been published providing three-year legal concessions for environment-friendly and energy-efficient vehicles.
