Kathamndu: The Narayangadh-Butwal road expansion project in the Nawalparasi eastern section has achieved only 45% completion, with six months remaining until the deadline expires. The project, initiated in 2075 BS, has faced two deadline extensions. The current extension is set to expire in mid-July.

According to Ashish Thapa Magar, the eastern section chief of the Road Expansion Project, approximately 90% of the work should be completed by the mid-July deadline. He emphasized that the construction company will be responsible for post-construction repairs for five years, constituting about 10% of the overall progress.

Magar expressed concern over the sluggish progress, stating that the contractor, China State Construction Engineering Corporation, needs to expedite the work. He highlighted the inadequacy of current manpower and machinery and urged the contractor to utilize sufficient resources to meet the stipulated deadline.

The Narayangadh-Butwal section of the East-West Highway spans 113 kilometers, with about 65 kilometers falling under the Middle East section. The project aims to construct a six-lane road in the market area with service lanes, three lanes in the Daunne section, and four lanes in other areas.

However, only 21 kilometers of two-lane road have been completed in the eastern section so far. Approximately 125 kilometers of road construction, excluding the bridge portion, is still pending. Magar emphasized the need for accelerated progress to meet the project's timeline.