The construction of Falgunanda Highway has not been completed even three decades after its construction began.
The highway starts from Damak of Jhapa, passes through Mangsebung in Ilam and connects Chisapani of Panchthar, according to the detailed project report (DPR).
Billions of rupees have been spent in the construction of Falgunanda Highway, yet without signs of completion. The delay in the road construction has left the locals adversely affected.
The track which was opened from Damak to Gharti Dobhan has not progressed further. Even a few vehicles ply on the rough road during winter remain off the road during summer.
The contract for blacktopping the Falgunanda Road (Damak-Chisapani Road) was granted five years ago but the work has not been completed yet.
The contract has been extended multiple times to tar the 33-kilometer stretch from Damak to Chisapani. However, only less than half of the road widening and blacktopping works have been completed so far.
This road is considered to be the shortest one to connect the eastern hill with Damak.
The contract for the seven-kilometer road section from Damak's first point, (first package), has already been extended four times, but the work remains incomplete.
The responsibility of blacktopping this road section in 30 months was given to Mahalaxmi Kiratshwor JV. The contract was granted at Rs. 225.9 million and has been extended four times. After completing only 62 per cent of the work, the company left the work in the middle.
Gautam Kumar Dev, Information Officer at the Road Division Office in Damak, said, “The contract for the second section, (15 kilometers) and the third section (11kilometers) of the road was awarded to Lumbini-Ganapati JV.
The contract of the second section was granted at Rs. 544.4 million, while the third section was awarded at Rs. 591.1 million.
However, the work has been progressing at a snail’s pace.” The contract deadline for these sections also expired a few months ago.
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