Road Department Directs Contractor to Explain Delays on Karnali Corridor Project

Kathmandu. The Karnali Corridor (South Section) Khulalu-Salisalla Road Project, under the North-South/Trade Route Expansion Project Directorate of the Department of Roads, has directed the construction entrepreneur causing work delays to submit a clarification within 15 days. The project office had signed a purchase agreement with M/s Contech-Singha JV Kathmandu for the upgradation of the road from Kuwadi to Tumcha under the Humla section of the Karnali Corridor. Despite repeated verbal and written reminders to complete the construction work on time, the construction entrepreneur has shown no interest in completing the work, the project office stated. As the progress is not as per the work schedule and the work within the scope of the purchase agreement has not been done, the office has issued a 15-day notice asking why the contract should not be terminated. As per the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2063 and the Public Procurement Regulations, 2064, the construction entrepreneur has been asked to appear with objective and reliable clarification within 15 days of the notice publication if there is any reasonable cause not to terminate the contract. If a satisfactory clarification is not received within the stipulated time, this notice will be considered the final reminder, and the contract will be terminated, and the construction entrepreneur will be blacklisted. Furthermore, the performance security and advance payment security will be forfeited. The project chief informed that the additional expenses incurred to get the work done due to non-performance will be recovered from the concerned construction entrepreneur as government arrears as per the Public Procurement Act.