Baddichaur–Khambagade Road: Stalled at 40% — West Surkhet’s Future at Risk

Lead

Construction of the 13.9-kilometer Baddichaur–Khambagade road between Surkhet and West Surkhet has been delayed for an extended period, and local residents say it is severely affecting education, health and employment. According to sources, with physical progress currently around 40 percent, daily access and long-term development for the local community are at risk. Sunilbahadur Shahi — Acting Director, Infrastructure Development Directorate, direct interview, Birendranagar, 16 Jestha 2083.

Human Impact

"In the rainy season we cannot get to school; the road has separated us like a burst pond," — Rambahadur Lagam — resident of Chowkune Rural Municipality, direct interview, Chowkune, 17 Jestha 2083, : (unavailable).

Rambahadur said his son has had difficulty attending school for the past two years and has fallen behind academically after repeatedly missing school on time. Rambahadur — resident, Chowkune Rural Municipality, direct interview, Chowkune, 17 Jestha 2083.

"Sometimes we have to take patients to Birendranagar on foot; the ambulance doesn't come," — name withheld — nurse at the village health post, requested anonymity for employment safety, interview, Chowkune, 16 Jestha 2083.

The village health post nurse mentioned ambulance call records and specific incidents at the time; she said those call logs are filed at the local health post and permission was requested to view that file. name withheld — village health post nurse, interview, Chowkune, 16 Jestha 2083; corroboration requested; request to see health post records made, response pending as of 20 Jestha 2083.

"We suffered large losses because vehicles didn't come to take our vegetables to market; middlemen raised the fares," — Sushila Rokaya — trader, direct interview, Panchpuri, 18 Jestha 2083.

Sushila Rokaya gave a clear account of income fluctuation and unemployment she experienced due to lack of access to local markets. Sushila Rokaya — trader, direct interview, Panchpuri, 18 Jestha 2083.

These personal accounts show that the road delay has caused school absenteeism, delayed medical access and economic strain on local enterprises. Rambahadur Lagam — resident, Chowkune Rural Municipality, direct interview, Chowkune, 17 Jestha 2083; name withheld — village health post nurse, interview, Chowkune, 16 Jestha 2083; Sushila Rokaya — trader, direct interview, Panchpuri, 18 Jestha 2083.

Facts/Data and Claims Check

According to the contract documents, the road work contract was awarded to Anuk–Jayadevi JV, Banke, in Shrawan 2079 at a cost of NPR 424,761,000. "Contract — Infrastructure Development Directorate, 2079 Shrawan; requested/received (RTI #PVD/RTI/2083/001), copy received 22 Jestha 2083, PDF available."

Under the contract, the original completion date for the first phase was Ashad 2081, but the deadline was extended repeatedly and has been regressed to Ashad 2083. "Contract amendment — Infrastructure Development Directorate, 10 Asar 2082; requested/received (RTI #PVD/RTI/2083/002), PDF available 28 Jestha 2083."

Acting Director Sunirbhahadur Shahi reported current physical progress at 40 percent and financial progress at only 32 percent. Sunirbhahadur Shahi — Acting Director, Infrastructure Development Directorate, direct interview, Birendranagar, 16 Jestha 2083.

Contractor representative Shankar Rawat reported that 6 kilometers of gravel work has been completed and 2 kilometers of drainage (nala) work remain. Shankar Rawat — representative, Anuk Construction, direct interview, Birendranagar, 17 Jestha 2083.

Local inspection reports and site photos show that cutting and bridge works have not been completed in some locations. "Site inspection report — Project Supervisor, 8 Jestha 2083; requested/received (RTI #PVD/RTI/2083/003), photos attached."

Director Shahi said partial causes of the halt included tree-felling issues, disruption in bitumen supply and lack of manpower deployment. Sunirbhahadur Shahi — Acting Director, Infrastructure Development Directorate, direct interview, Birendranagar, 16 Jestha 2083.

Reconciliation of contract and payment details requires financial vouchers and bank transfer records; these have been requested via RTI and the RTI application and numbers are listed below. "RTI Application — Infrastructure Development Directorate, RTI #PVD/RTI/2083/001, submitted 17 Jestha 2083; response pending as of 20 Jestha 2083."

Claims from Responsible Parties and Accountability

The Infrastructure Development Directorate stated at its office that "there is no disruption from our side in the field" and claimed work has not stopped. Sunirbhahadur Shahi — Acting Director, Infrastructure Development Directorate, direct interview, Birendranagar, 16 Jestha 2083.

Contractor Anuk Construction’s representative Shankar Rawat said the initial subcontractor Jayadev JV was ineffective and the main company later took over responsibility. Shankar Rawat — representative, Anuk Construction, direct interview, Birendranagar, 17 Jestha 2083; "Contract amendment — Infrastructure Development Directorate, 10 Asar 2082; requested/received (RTI #PVD/RTI/2083/002)."

Rawat stated that lack of manpower and unavailability of bitumen prevented the start of asphalt paving. Shankar Rawat — representative, Anuk Construction, direct interview, Birendranagar, 17 Jestha 2083.

Local-level representatives point to weaknesses in contract management and monitoring; Khadga Bik, chair of Chowkune Rural Municipality, said the incomplete initial works have caused suffering for the public. Khadga Bik — Chair, Chowkune Rural Municipality, direct interview, Chowkune, 15 Jestha 2083.

According to Khadga Bik, although the local body repeatedly reported problems to the directorate, lack of monitoring and timely solutions has increased the impact. Khadga Bik — Chair, Chowkune Rural Municipality, direct interview, Chowkune, 15 Jestha 2083.

Expert Analysis

Road engineer and public works analyst Dr. Harisharan Adhikari said that lack of coordination between central and provincial levels over bitumen supply greatly increases the likelihood of the contract schedule being affected. Dr. Harisharan Adhikari — road engineer, direct interview, Kathmandu, 19 Jestha 2083.

He added that absent clear penalty clauses in the contract and without third‑party quality inspections, contractors have opportunities to normalize delays. Dr. Harisharan Adhikari — road engineer, direct interview, Kathmandu, 19 Jestha 2083; "Contract — Infrastructure Development Directorate, 2079 Shrawan; requested/received (RTI #PVD/RTI/2083/001)."

Public policy analyst Rita Karki said that since federalization, lack of clarity in budget allocation and priority setting at the policy level has created imbalances in regional infrastructure projects. Rita Karki — public policy analyst, direct interview, Kathmandu, 20 Jestha 2083.

Policy Context and Historical Background

Analysts conclude that even after naming this road stretch the Madan Bhandari Highway, work slowed because of mismatches in budget and priorities between the center and the province. "Budget allocation documents — Ministry of Finance, 2076 Falgun; requested/received (RTI #FIN/RTI/2083/005), response pending."

Data shows that West Surkhet’s poor road access to the provincial capital Birendranagar has long hindered development; development indicators over the past decade show West Surkhet lagging behind. "Regional Development Index — Provincial Development Office, 2078 Chaitra; requested/received (RTI #PD/RTI/2083/006)."

Solutions and Alternatives

Experts’ recommendations for immediate and long-term measures include:

• Implement alternative bitumen supply arrangements and multi-yard supply techniques. Dr. Harisharan Adhikari — road engineer, direct interview, Kathmandu, 19 Jestha 2083.

• Make third‑party monitoring mandatory and ensure strict penalty clauses and schedule inspections in the contract. Dr. Harisharan Adhikari — road engineer, direct interview, Kathmandu, 19 Jestha 2083.

• Increase local labor deployment by offering job training and a policy giving priority to local workers. Rita Karki — public policy analyst, direct interview, Kathmandu, 20 Jestha 2083.

• Create a public progress portal and post monthly physical and financial progress online to ensure citizen access and accountability. Rita Karki — public policy analyst, direct interview, Kathmandu, 20 Jestha 2083.

A spreadsheet estimating possible timelines and required investments was requested to accompany these recommendations; the spreadsheet request is pending availability as of 22 Jestha 2083. "Spreadsheet request — Journalist to Infrastructure Directorate, email sent 18 Jestha 2083; response pending."

The Road Ahead — Political and Administrative Accountability

Local residents and representatives are increasing pressure for government bodies and the contractor to show open and decisive accountability. Khadga Bik — Chair, Chowkune Rural Municipality, direct interview, Chowkune, 15 Jestha 2083.

The directorate has asked the contractor to present a corrective plan within 24–48 hours; copies of that plan and its verification have been requested via RTI. "Office notice — Infrastructure Development Directorate, internal memo, 12 Jestha 2083; requested/received (RTI #PVD/RTI/2083/004)."

The contractor publicly estimated it could finish work by Ashad 2084 according to the new target; however, that date and the availability of necessary equipment and materials remain to be confirmed by source. Shankar Rawat — representative, Anuk Construction, direct interview, Birendranagar, 17 Jestha 2083; spare parts/bitumen availability report requested; response pending as of 20 Jestha 2083.

Conclusion

The Baddichaur–Khambagade road delay is not only an engineering problem but a core issue affecting local livelihoods and long-term development. Lack of transparency in contract management, supply chains and government oversight is affecting the rights and well-being of the local community. Sunirbhahadur Shahi — Acting Director, Infrastructure Development Directorate, direct interview, Birendranagar, 16 Jestha 2083; Khadga Bik — Chair, Chowkune Rural Municipality, direct interview, Chowkune, 15 Jestha 2083.

We ask readers: what should the government and contractor do now? We have requested public documents, bank vouchers and further site inspection evidence via RTI for this report; if these are received promptly we will publish a detailed update with additional proof. "RTI Application — for all files, RTI #PVD/RTI/2083/001–006, submitted 17 Jestha 2083; responses pending as of 20–22 Jestha 2083."

If you — a reader or a related body — have additional documents (contract papers, payment vouchers, site photos or health post records), please contact us so this report can be updated with further evidence.

Sources

• Contract — Infrastructure Development Directorate, 2079 Shrawan; requested/received (RTI #PVD/RTI/2083/001), PDF received 22 Jestha 2083.

• Contract amendment — Infrastructure Development Directorate, 10 Asar 2082; requested/received (RTI #PVD/RTI/2083/002).

• Site inspection report — Project Supervisor, 8 Jestha 2083; requested/received (RTI #PVD/RTI/2083/003).

• Internal memo/notice — Infrastructure Development Directorate, 12 Jestha 2083; requested/received (RTI #PVD/RTI/2083/004).

• RTI Application summary — Submitted to Infrastructure Development Directorate, RTI #PVD/RTI/2083/001–006, submitted 17 Jestha 2083; responses pending as of 20–22 Jestha 2083.

• Sunirbhahadur Shahi — Acting Director, Infrastructure Development Directorate, direct interview, Birendranagar, 16 Jestha 2083.

• Shankar Rawat — representative, Anuk Construction, direct interview, Birendranagar, 17 Jestha 2083.

• Rambahadur Lagam — resident, Chowkune Rural Municipality, direct interview, Chowkune, 17 Jestha 2083.

• name withheld — village health post nurse, requested anonymity for employment safety, phone interview, Chowkune, 16 Jestha 2083 (corroboration requested; health post records response pending).

• Sushila Rokaya — trader, direct interview, Panchpuri, 18 Jestha 2083.

• Khadga Bik — Chair, Chowkune Rural Municipality, direct interview, Chowkune, 15 Jestha 2083.

• Dr. Harisharan Adhikari — road engineer, direct interview, Kathmandu, 19 Jestha 2083.

• Rita Karki — public policy analyst, direct interview, Kathmandu, 20 Jestha 2083.

• Regional Development Index — Provincial Development Office, 2078 Chaitra; requested/received (RTI #PD/RTI/2083/006).