Kathmandu: Following the termination of the contract for the supply and installation of civil structures, including the dam (headworks), powerhouse, and gates along with hydromechanical equipment under the national pride Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project, the project has resumed the re-evaluation process.
The project had issued a 14-day public notice on 10th November with the intention of terminating the contract with Patel-Raman JV, Janakpur-9, Dhanusha for the construction of this package. As per the terms of the agreement, the contract was formally terminated from 24th November.
After the cancellation of the contract, the project has taken control of all equipment, site offices, and construction sites of the contractor, as per the agreement. The project stated that it is currently evaluating the work completed so far, the equipment at the site, and the remaining and additional work, in order to prepare a new cost estimate, based on which new tender documents will be prepared.
Meanwhile, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Urban Development Kulman Ghising inspected the headworks construction area of the project at Seleghat, Manthali Municipality-6, Ramechhap on Monday. During the inspection, he took information about the site condition after the tender cancellation and the progress of the process of issuing a new tender.
Minister Ghising held discussions with the project management and consultants at the project site and directed them to complete the ongoing evaluation work within two months and proceed with the new tender process.
He said, “The evaluation should include the work completed so far, the remaining work, and any additional work identified during construction, and the new tender should be issued accordingly. There should be no delays in the construction of the tunnels that are already built. The tender process must be immediately advanced to ensure that construction is completed according to the new schedule.”
The project stated that the contract with Patel-Raman JV was terminated because, even though about 61 percent of the contract period had elapsed, physical progress was only around 10 percent, the contractor showed no urgency to accelerate work and repeatedly ignored notices issued for improvements.
The project stated that the contract with Patel-Raman JV was terminated because, even though about 61 percent of the contract period had elapsed, physical progress was only around 10 percent, the contractor showed no urgency to accelerate work and repeatedly ignored notices issued for improvements.
Following the contract cancellation, the project has also initiated the process to forfeit bank guarantees totaling NPR 360 crore, including NPR 240 crore from the performance guarantee and NPR 120 crore from the advance payment guarantee.
The contract with Patel-Raman JV for the construction of the project had been signed for NPR 1.408 billion (including taxes). The contractor had agreed to carry out the work at approximately 32 percent below the estimated cost and had started construction in Jan/ Feb 2023. According to the agreement, the construction was supposed to be completed by June/July 2027, but so far, physical progress is only around 10 percent. The project stated that about NPR 214 crore (around 15 percent) has already been paid.
The project’s 13.3-kilometer tunnel was excavated using a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) and was broken through on 26th April/May 2024. Water from the Sunkoshi River, located on the border of Sindhuli and Ramechhap, will be diverted through the tunnel into the Marin River and supplied to the Bagmati Irrigation Project.
The project aims to provide year-round irrigation to a total of 122,000 hectares of land in Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, and Bara districts, including 45,600 hectares currently under irrigation. In addition, water from the Sunkoshi River will be diverted to the Marin River to generate 31 MW of electricity. The estimated cost of the project is NPR 4.942 billion.
Jalasarokar
