A long-delayed school infrastructure project in Samtse has finally hit a breaking point. The Tashichhoeling Dungkhag Tender Committee has terminated the contract for the construction of two 200-bed hostels and a dining hall at Peljorling Higher Secondary School. Despite years of delays, multiple extensions, and over Nu 45 M already disbursed, the project remains incomplete.
Today, the hostels have become overcrowded. Students have used every available space to make beds. This is Peljorling Higher Secondary School in Samtse.
More than 400 boarding students live in packed hostels designed for only 240.
“My son said he didn’t want to stay in the hostel because it’s too crowded. He chose to live with relatives instead. If the new hostels were complete, it would really help our children,” said Karna Maya Ghalley, a parent.
“The works were supposed to be completed before COVID. But even now, after the pandemic, nothing has been done. The two existing hostels are not enough for so many students,” said another parent, Amber Ghalley.
The construction of new hostels began in 2020. But five years on, the progress remains far from complete. The Tashichhoeling Dungkhag has now terminated the contract for the nearly Nu 48 M project.
As per the Dungkhag office, the project, initially awarded to a contractor, was later handed to another contractor in a joint venture after the first contractor abandoned the work. Yet, the progress remained minimal.
As per the termination letter issued by the Dungkhag office, the document shows a series of eight written and verbal reminders dating back to 2021 for Peljorling School. The letter also revealed that over Nu 45 M had already been paid to the contractor, but only about 25.7 M worth of actual work, including materials, had been completed.
The Dungkhag Administration now plans to recover nearly Nu 24 M from the contractor, including a 20 percent penalty.
In the meantime, the office has directed engineers to prepare new cost estimates, and the administration says the remaining works will be retendered soon.
Meanwhile, the same contractor responsible for Peljorling HSS is also handling the constructions at Tendruk Central School and Namgyalchhoeling Primary School, both of which are also running behind schedule.
The contractor said the pandemic stalled the work for over a year. He added that the aftermath of the pandemic, including restrictions, rising fuel prices, increased material costs, and labor shortages, continued to affect progress.
Construction delays are not a new issue. They echo from every part of the country. Today, these students are paying the price.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
