Butwal, June 8: A major road construction project in Lumbini Cultural Municipality has drawn strong interest from domestic and international contractors, with 12 companies participating in the bidding process for a project worth an estimated Rs 1.3 billion.
The project involves the construction of a 12-kilometre road connecting Mahilabar, Jhulanipur, Moglaha, Masina and Kukurbhukwa to Bhaisahiya. Funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the road is expected to significantly improve transport connectivity and support economic activities in the Lumbini region.
According to Ashish Yadav, an engineer at Lumbini Cultural Municipality, three companies submitted bids independently, while the remaining participants entered the competition through joint ventures.
Among the independent bidders are Nepali firms Lama Construction and Sharma Construction, along with India’s Vijay Construction. Other Indian and Chinese companies partnered with Nepali firms to submit joint proposals.
Municipal officials said technical and financial evaluations of the bids are currently underway. A committee comprising the chief administrative officer, chief accounts officer and an engineer has been tasked with assessing the proposals, with the final results expected within the next few days.
The project will be implemented in two sections measuring eight kilometres and four kilometres respectively. In line with ADB standards, the road will feature blacktopping, drainage systems, culverts, road dividers and CCTV surveillance facilities.
Officials said the goal is to develop the route into a model road equipped with modern infrastructure.
Acting Mayor Kalpana Harijan said the municipality shifted to hard-copy tender submissions after two unsuccessful attempts to complete the procurement process through online e-bidding. The decision was made following recommendations from ADB headquarters.
However, the project has been mired in controversy since the tendering phase. On June 1, the deadline for submitting hard-copy bids, a dispute reportedly erupted among several individuals, leading to a scuffle at the submission venue.
Following the incident, police registered a public disorder case against two individuals. According to the Rupandehi District Police Office, investigations are underway against Jiwan Srivastava and Shakil Ahmad. Several police personnel sustained minor injuries during the altercation.
Acting Information Officer Inspector Dinesh Bahadur Kunwar said legal proceedings have been initiated against the two suspects and their remand has been extended for further investigation.
Local stakeholders have expressed concern that the controversy could affect the timely implementation of the project. They argue that disputes surrounding a project financed by an international development partner could send a negative message to investors and donors.
Ram Bikash Chaudhary, co-coordinator of the Lumbini Conservation Campaign, said tensions escalated after the online bidding process failed twice and authorities ultimately opted for hard-copy tender submissions.
Despite the controversy, municipal officials remain optimistic that the evaluation process will be completed soon, paving the way for the long-awaited infrastructure project to move forward. #nepal
