Nepal gives shock to ‘Dragon’, suspends Chinese contractors

International

oi-Artesh Kumar

Kathmandu, June 3 : In a setback to China, the Nepal Army (NA) on Thursday suspended Chinese contractors for failing to expedite construction work on the Kathmandu-Tarai fast track expressway. Let us tell you that the work of the contracting companies for the proposed 72.6 km Kathmandu-Tarai-Madhesh Expressway is not gaining momentum. This has created apprehension that the work will be completed on time. Failure to deliver the goods on time, consultants of companies getting into disputes and problems of insurance and re-insurance are making it difficult to take forward the fast track works.

the dragon is struck
According to Khabar Hub, the Government of Nepal in its policy programs last week had mentioned to complete the Terai-Kathmandu fast track on time i.e. by 2081 Vikram Samvat. Nepal Army under the fast track project three tunnels, some bridges and a partial Last year, two separate contracts were signed with China State Construction Engineering Corp Ltd and Poly Changda Engineering Co Ltd for the construction of the road.

Chinese contractors suspended
According to the information, both the Chinese companies have been informed about the suspension of Chinese contractors by sending a letter on 23 May. However, the duration is not mentioned. The fast track, Asian Highway Standard Primary Class A Standard Road, will have three tunnels and bridges. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 175 billion. At the same time, the length of the four-lane expressway will be 72.5 km. This road will reach Nijgarh in Bara district via Khokna, Kathmandu and Makwanpur in Lalitpur.

As per a report in Khabar Hub, the project has been mired in controversy since the tenure of retired Army Chief Purnachandra Thapa, who selected only two out of 43 companies as qualified contractors for both the phases. The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had on April 1, 2021 directed the Nepal Army to halt the contract process, claiming that it did not comply with the country’s financial regulations. The PAC had directed to stop the contract process because it lacked transparency.

Know the whole matter
The committee had also directed the Public Procurement Monitoring Office to clear the hurdles at the earliest by preparing necessary documents, guidelines and procedures to proceed with the contract for participation of international companies. However, two days after that instruction, the Army opened and evaluated the financial proposals of the two packages selected in pre-qualification.

contract agreement process
The process of contract settlement started after the company submitted the financial proposal. The contract was signed with both the companies on May 14, 2021 so that the construction can be completed within 3 years. According to the news hub, the citizens of Nepal are not getting employment there. The main reason for this is that Beijing is sending its workers to Nepal for employment. It was revealed by a loader accident.

China snatching employment of Nepali youth
According to the news, three Chinese nationals were killed in a loader accident in Nepal last month. This showed that they had come to Nepal to work. whereas only a few Nepalese technicians are employed in the ongoing project. However, reports also suggest that it is not yet disclosed how many Chinese nationals in Nepal have obtained work permits to work in the project.

Also read: The result of playing in the dock of the dragon, Chinese laborers replaced Nepalese in Nepal’s project