Five years on, Kechana-Kanchanjunga road less than halfway complete
Summary
The Kechana-Kanchanjunga fast track’s Belase-Rakse-Golakharka section is only 47 percent complete more than five years after the contract was awarded, despite repeated deadline extensions. Delays have left roads muddy and difficult to use for residents of Ilam, Panchthar and Taplejung, while nearly Rs 200 million remains frozen.
Key Points
- The 9.5-kilometer Belase-Rakse-Golakharka section of the Kechana-Kanchanjunga fast track is only 47 percent complete more than five years after the contract was awarded.
- The Road Division Ilam says it may impose penalties or terminate the contract if the contractor cannot provide credible reasons for the slow progress.
- Flood damage, incomplete blacktopping and muddy stretches continue to disrupt travel in Ilam, Panchthar and Taplejung, especially during the monsoon.
- The road will cut the Ilam-Birtamod distance from about 84 kilometers to roughly 47 kilometers once finished.
