Chitwan: As the prices of fuel and other essential materials continue to rise following the evolving situation in West Asia in recent weeks, nearly 125 development projects run in Chitwan by the Infrastructure Development Office have been severely affected. Chief of the Office, Birendra Kumar Chaudhary, stated that currently out of 267 projects, 217 are under implementation after contract agreements in Chitwan, adding that 125 of them are hit hard, as their construction work is likely to pause.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the price of fuel has increased sharply compared to the time when the contract agreements were signed, and a short supply of bitumen has led to the pause in project advancement, Chaudhary added. He shared that the construction entrepreneurs have submitted a memo at the Office demanding a construction holiday for the projects that could be paused with immediate effect.
Currently, the Office is developing 19 bridges and several road projects under other projects. Chaudhary mentioned, “Up to 60 percent of the total projects initiated from the Office could not be completed if this situation continues.” The Office, which is implementing development projects worth Rs 670 million, has communicated with the constructors that it will move ahead as per the decision of the government.
Construction entrepreneurs have also stated that they are not in a comfortable situation to advance the projects amid skyrocketing prices of construction materials.