Contractors Complain of Material Shortage for Butwal-Gorusinge Road Upgrade: Domestic Soil Scarcity Leads to Lack of Supplies from Abroad
Summary: The upgrade of the Butwal–Gorusinge road has been obstructed due to a shortage of soil, gravel, and river materials essential for construction. Out of the required 879,000 cubic meters of soil for Lot 1, only 69,000 cubic meters have been procured so far. The war between the US and Iran has impacted bitumen imports, posing risks to blacktopping works. March 14, Butwal – Construction activities on the Butwal–Gorusinge road upgrade have suffered delays due to a shortage of riverine materials.
The road widening areas require significant soil filling; however, a lack of soil, gravel, and river materials in Lot 1, spanning from Kapilvastu’s Kothi River to Butwal’s Pakhapani, has halted construction work. Although all procedural approvals have been secured, some local governments have imposed bans on soil extraction, citing the proximity to forest areas, forcing contractors to pause work, said contractors. Even in areas where extraction permits were granted and revenue paid, bans have continued under forest preservation claims, leaving hundreds of daily laborers unemployed and construction equipment idle, according to project contact manager Gaurishankar Mahato.
Project data shows that Lot 1 requires approximately 879,169 cubic meters of soil and gravel, and about 871,046 cubic meters of river materials. However, only 69,277 cubic meters of soil and gravel have been acquired so far. River materials collected directly amount to 62,597 cubic meters, with an additional 60,410 cubic meters sourced elsewhere, totaling only 123,007 cubic meters available, Mahato explained. This leaves a shortfall of around 809,891 cubic meters of soil and gravel and about 748,038 cubic meters of river materials.
Contractors have criticized Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City for the most significant delays and neglect in permitting river material extraction. Mahato noted, “Materials imported from abroad do not affect necessary work, but the lack of soil, gravel, and river materials available domestically is ironically causing work stoppages.” Approximately 20 million cubic meters of soil are needed for the nearly 25-kilometer stretch of Lot 1, yet only 123,007 cubic meters have been supplied so far, hindering smooth progress, said project chief engineer Kushalta Nyaupane.
In contrast, Lot 2 is not facing such issues, as materials surpass requirements there. “Soil scarcity is the biggest challenge in Lot 1. Apart from bridges, culverts, and drain constructions, soil filling work is virtually halted,” Nyaupane stated. “An additional 810,000 cubic meters of soil and gravel and 749,000 cubic meters of river materials are still required, and delays from local governments forecast that timely completion is unlikely.”
Despite agreements and revenue payments made with various local bodies and departments, extraction processes remain obstructed, raising concerns for Nyaupane. “Although the aim is to complete this project within two years, only 23 percent of work has been completed to date. Material shortages have prevented reaching the progress targets so far.”
