The import of construction materials and workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic delayed a lot of construction projects. Considering this, the government had notified the procuring agencies and the construction companies to either reschedule or retain the contract deadlines since last year. However, as per procuring agencies in Tsirang, most construction companies are misusing the notification and further delaying the work progress.
During Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering’s recent visit to Tsirang, the district’s Chief Engineer said complacency has overwhelmed the construction companies because of the notification.
As a result, they are deferring a lot of construction works despite the potential to complete the projects on the agreed duration.
“Whenever we remind contractors to speed up the construction works, some contractors always take the government’s notifications as an excuse. And later those contractors are the ones who fail to complete work on time. For instance, some construction projects in Tsirang failed to complete 12 months’ contract works even after 26 months,” said Kintu, Chief District Engineer of Tsirang.
In response, the Prime Minister said the notification was issued after the construction companies appealed to the government. However, the Prime Minister said all the ongoing construction works don’t necessarily qualify for rescheduling deadlines.
“If you read the circulars or notifications carefully, it doesn’t say the procuring agencies should anyway give time extension for all construction works. It mentioned that bilateral talks between procuring agencies and construction companies should decide on a time extension.”
“Respective engineers must inspect the work progress and if works are likely to complete within the given time, you should forgo the time extension. Construction companies may ask for contract duration extensions all the time but engineers should decide on it,” he further added.
As per the notification, for projects that are not affected or the agreed duration is sufficient for the project completion, the contract duration will be kept as per the existing contract.
However, for projects affected by the pandemic or the agreed duration as per the existing contract is insufficient for project completion, the procuring agency shall reschedule and issue a new completion date.
Meanwhile, with most of the COVID-19 restrictions lifted across the country, construction is picking up in the district.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Sonam Pem
