Gadkari orders on-the-spot probe into incomplete NH project

Motihari: Union road transport and highway minister Nitin Gadkari has ordered an on- the -spot inquiryinto Piprakothi-Raxaul National Highway (NH-28A) on Indo-Nepal border, the construction of which is in limbo.
The project was to be completed in March 2015 but till date only 35% of the work has been done. The NH is 62 km long and is the main link between New Delhi and Kathmandu.NHAI chairman Raghav Chandra will conduct an on the spot inquiry of this road on May 25 and will take up the matter with NHAI officials. West Champaran MP Dr Sanjay Jaiswal on Sunday said he had recently apprised the condition of NH-28A to Gadkari and had requested him to take an initiative to complete this project at the earliest.
"He has taken up the matter seriously and has directed the chairman to make an on the spot inspection and take necessary action as this road is the only vital link to Nepal. NHAI chairman with a team of top officials will take stock of the situation at Sugauli and Raxaul," said Jaiswal.
NHAI sources said that the construction work of this two-lane highway was allocated at an estimated cost of Rs 429 crore and according to agreement this work was to be completed in March 2015. The then East Champaran DM Jitendra Srivastava in January 2015 had requested the NHAI to terminate the contract of Tatiya Construction company engaged in the work, but the NHAI granted time extension. "The construction work has been going on at snail's space and if the pace of work is any indication, it is unlikely to be completed this year," said ex-MLC Ramji Prasad Sharma.
Around 1000 trucks, truck trailers carrying cargo from Haldiya port pass through this road daily for Kathmandu. Nepal PM has also requested PM Narendra Modi to complete the NH project for smooth trade between two countries.