After missing two deadlines, the contractors executing the construction of hostel and staff quarters at Kabisa Central School in Punakha are speeding up works to complete the structures within this financial year. The work got delayed by more than a year due to the pandemic.
Two hostels to accommodate 120 students each are under construction. The work began in March 2020 and was supposed to complete by October last year. But due to the lockdowns, the contractor was given a time extension until this month. However, due to the recent lockdown in Punakha, the contract was extended again. It is now scheduled for completion by July.
As of today, only about 60 per cent of the work is complete. The construction works worth close to Nu 38 M is funded by the government of India under the Project Tied Assistance. Currently, 12 labourers are working at the site to complete the work on time.
“It is difficult to get skilled workers in the country. And bringing them into the country from other countries is not easy. It is a long process to bring in skilled workers. So, the work progress was hampered due to unavailability of such workers within the country,” said Karma Wangdi, the site Engineer.
He added that the works got delayed due to the unavailability of skilled labourers and construction materials during the pandemic:
“We were asked to procure bricks from the local producers. But they do not have enough to meet the demand of the construction sector. We are able to get only a truck or two in a month. So, this delayed the works.”
Similarly, the construction of a six-unit staff quarter is also ongoing. It was initially supposed to complete by April last year. But it got delayed and the contractor was given a time extension until February this year. However, as of today, only 65 per cent of the work is complete. According to the district engineering sector, the contractor is now asked to execute the works under the penalty period.
The construction of the staff quarter is estimated to cost more than Nu 15 M. It is also funded by the government of India under Project Tied Assistance.
According to the school administration, there are more than 100 boys and about 140 girls staying on campus.
Although there is one hostel each for the boys and girls, there is a shortage of accommodation for the girls.
And there are over 50 staff with only four staff quarters in the school.
“The existing girls hostel is designed to accommodate only 120 people. However, it is accommodating 140 girls today. It is not convenient for the students, especially during the summer,” said Sangla, the Principal of Kabisa Central School in Punakha.
According to the district engineering sector, the hike in fuel cost and construction materials also hampered the work progress.
Once complete, the students and staff in Kabisa Central School will have an adequate hostel and residential infrastructure.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Phub Gyem
