Eastern rukum: The construction of a 13-km road from Nisikhola Rural Municipality-6, Patihalne to Bhume Rural Municipality-1, Rupaga, in Eastern Rukum remains incomplete, making travel through the route increasingly difficult for residents and travelers alike. Despite being a vital connection for the region, the road has not seen completion in over a decade.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Nabin Kharal, the information officer at the Mid-Hill Highway Office in Dailekh, reported that only 70 percent of the road work has been completed. The project, which was contracted to be finished with blacktopping by May 26, 2016, suffered from neglect by the contractor, resulting in significant delays. The budget allocated for this section of the highway was approximately Rs 43 million.
Kharal revealed that the contractor has been repeatedly instructed to adhere to the contract terms, with multiple deadline extensions provided to facilitate completion. The incomplete road has become a major concern as it is part of the Mid-Hill Highway, which sees traffic from several vehicles and hundreds of passengers daily. Preparations for blacktopping from Patihal to Rupga have been made, but the contractor’s absence has led to the deterioration of previously constructed structures.