The Khandbari-Num section of the Kimathanka-Biratnagar road, a national pride project, remains incomplete even after two deadline extensions. Despite three and a half years since the contract was awarded, the slow progress has caused significant inconvenience for locals.
In Ashar 2078 BS (June–July 2021), the North-South Koshi Road Project awarded the blacktopping contract for the Khandbari-Num section, dividing it into three segments, with a completion deadline of Poush 17, 2080 BS (January 1, 2024). However, in three years, only road widening, gabion wall filling, and drainage construction have been accomplished.
The blacktopping of the 14-km Khandbari-Thamserku road is only 70% complete despite two deadline extensions over three and a half years. Similarly, the 12-km Thamserku-Kaptane segment is 54% complete, while the 13-km Kaptane-Num segment lags at 42%.
Locals, such as Durga Parajuli, report that it takes over five hours to traverse the 39-km stretch during the five-month rainy season. “Delays in blacktopping have left the road muddy in monsoon and dusty in winter, increasing the cost of daily essentials,” she said.
The slow progress has particularly affected residents of Chichila, Makalu, and Bhotkhola rural municipalities. Chichila Rural Municipality Chairperson Pasang Nurbu Sherpa highlighted the difficulties faced by locals. “Vehicles struggle to operate during the rainy season due to mud, and in winter, the road becomes extremely dusty, making travel to the district headquarters arduous,” he said.
The contractor company Sharma Shivashakti JV, awarded the NPR 1.28 billion project, has been unable to meet the deadlines, causing distress for locals. Following complaints, the District Administration Office has repeatedly urged for the work to be expedited. The North-South Koshi Road Project extended the deadline twice—first to Ashar 14, 2081 BS (June 28, 2024) and then to Bhadra 26, 2082 BS (September 11, 2025).
Chief District Officer Binod Kumar Khadka warned that legal action would be initiated if the contractor fails to complete the work within the extended deadline. “We have informed the contractor that this is the final extension. If the work isn’t completed this time, we will proceed with legal measures,” he said.
Ram Bahadur Gurung, Chief of the North-South Koshi Road Project, claimed that progress has improved since the second extension. He stated that the construction company has intensified its efforts after Dashain. However, blacktopping work has been halted due to cold weather conditions. “With temperatures dropping in the Himalayan region, blacktopping isn’t feasible at the moment. We are preparing to start blacktopping the 12-km Khandbari-Thamserku segment by the second week of Magh (late January),” he said.
Gurung attributed the delays to the single contractor handling all three sections and the bid amount being reduced by 46%, which caused financial strain. Sharma Shivashakti JV has assured that work will be completed within the extended deadline.
Engineer Vaibhav Pandey from the contractor company explained that landslides during the last rainy season washed away gravel, further delaying the work. “We can only work for five months a year on this section. Continuous rainfall from Baisakh (April–May) to Ashoj (September–October) hindered progress. We are now striving to complete it before the next monsoon,” he said.
Pandey noted that gabion wall installation, road widening, and drainage construction have been completed. The 39-km road must be fully blacktopped by Bhadra 26, 2082 BS (September 11, 2025) as per the extended deadline. However, delays due to price hikes in construction materials, monsoon challenges, and other factors have caused inconvenience to travelers, according to Wangchhedar Bhote, Chairperson of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality.
