This file photo shows construction taking place along the Chabahil-Jorpati road. Photo NBA

September 24: The government has warned two big construction companies of blacklisting them for negligence in road expansion and other infrastructure development projects.

The government has sought clarification from United Builders and Engineers Pvt Ltd and Diwa/Sailung JV on why they should not be blacklisted for not completing major projects related to road construction in Kathmandu Valley in time. They have been given seven days for submitting written clarification.

The Kathmandu Valley Road Expansion Project issued a public notice on Wednesday mentioning the names of these two companies. In the notice, the KVREP has said that the two companies failed to complete their tasks in time and have shown no interest to complete the work during the extended deadline on the pretext of coronavirus crisis. KVREP has warned that it would scrap the contract and  blacklist the two companies if their clarifications are not satisfactory.

United Builders and Engineers was awarded the contract to construct the 3.6 kilometer section of Chabahil-Jorpati-Sankhu road six years ago. The time period for completion of the project expired six months ago. The deadline was extended for six months but the company is not in a position to complete the work, says Guru Adhikari, chief of the KVREP.

Likewise, Diwa/Sailung JV is also under scrutiny for not completing the 3.2 kilometer section of Dholahiti-Sunakothi-Chapagaun road in the last five years. The company has completed only 300 meters of the road, informed Adhikari.