The Mude-Charikot road which is connected to the capital has always been facing problems. The contract was given to Shakil Haider-Shankarmali Sunaulo Khimti JV in 2015, but the progress remains still with dust, potholes and risk. 

As elections approach, this road becomes a ‘special political agenda’ of the commitments to leaders. 110 km of road is being constructed under the Lamosangu-Charikot-Jiri Road Project with the aim of improving and expanding the single-lane road built 40 years ago to make it a double-lane road. Out of this, the Mude-Charikot section is the second section, which was awarded the contract with a target of completion within two years.

The first and third sections have been completed and handed over to the Division Road Office and are undergoing regular maintenance. However, this important section in the middle has been incomplete for years. Since the project has a loan from the Indian Exim Bank, there is a mandatory provision that 51 percent Indian ownership and 51 percent Indian construction materials should be provided. However, structural constraints, management weaknesses, and constant decision-making changes did not allow the work to proceed.

Eight project managers changed during this period and no development has been done. Due to repeated changes in the work variations, the project cost has increased from Rs 790m to about Rs 900m. The contractor has been paid Rs 810m so far.

There are records of the deadline being extended up to eight times after the work was not completed on time. Project manager Shambhu Prasad Acharya said that a contract notice was issued for repairs after Shakil Haider did not work. However, two years after the notice was issued, the High Court revived the old agreement and issued an interim order to Shakil Haider to do the work.

The project chief Acharya said that since there was a commitment to complete the work by April 3, they are waiting if it is not completed even after that, they will go to legal proceedings. The locals have the same complaint, they remember the road only when the elections come, they forget it after seeking votes, and after the elections are over. This main road connecting the capital should be the backbone of development, but it has become a tool of political speech.

The Charikot road is not just an election agenda, it is the economic, social and emergency lifeline of Dolakha. Tourism, trade and health services are all affected if this road is not managed. Therefore, now it is not a commitment limited to the speeches of the leaders, but a concrete action plan with a deadline, responsibility and penalties is needed.