The 15-bed basic hospital that was planned to be constructed in Tanjakot Rural Municipality has remained abandoned for the past five years. Construction of the hospital had begun at the rural municipality headquarters in Chhaprela, but due to the failure to complete the project on time, residents have been deprived of basic health services.
After being awarded the hospital construction contract through a bidding process, the construction company halted the work midway, leaving the building incomplete. Tanjakot Rural Municipality Chairperson Lalkesh Jaisi stated that the hospital building is still in an under-construction state and that no progress has been observed to date.
According to Chairperson Jaisi, an agreement was signed in 2020/21 A.D. with Dhulikhel Construction Service for the construction of the hospital. As per the contract, a 15-bed hospital was to be constructed for Rs. 70 million and completed within the stipulated timeframe. However, even after five years since the signing of the agreement, the construction has not been completed, and the hospital building remains unfinished.
The rural municipality reported that although the construction company completed the RCC structure up to the DPC level and installed doors and windows, no further construction work was carried out thereafter.
Despite three years having passed since the installation of doors and windows, the remaining structural and physical construction works have not progressed, leaving the hospital abandoned. Chairperson Jaisi emphasized that there is no shortage of budget for the hospital construction and claimed that the delay is solely due to the negligence of the construction company.
He further complained that the rural municipality has repeatedly sent written notices and reminders to the construction company, but the company has shown no concern. Although the contract stipulated that the hospital construction should have been completed by 2022/23 A.D., the rural municipality alleged that the company has shown no indication of completing the work to date.
This situation has not only created problems in the implementation of local government plans but has also adversely affected citizens’ right to health, according to resident Jhalak Dhakal.
Due to the contractor’s irresponsibility, leaving an important health infrastructure project abandoned, the residents of Tanjakot Rural Municipality have urged the concerned authorities to resolve the issue promptly and complete the hospital construction at the earliest.