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The public continues to suffer due to the prolonged delay in the construction of the Gwarko Flyover in Lalitpur, attributed to the negligence of officials from the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and the Road Department. The Quality Research and Development Center of the Road Department issued a tender under the EPC model in 2021, aiming to complete the project within two years.

A contract was awarded to Ashish-Samanantar-Religare JV in 2021. At the time, Prabhat Kumar Jha was the project head. However, he later stepped down, and a series of officials, including Kailash Kumar Shrestha, Navinman Shrestha, Ajay Mul, and Nareshman Shakya, took over the role. Surprisingly, Jha has now returned as project head, raising concerns among ministry employees.

“There were vested interests behind Jha’s reinstatement as project chief,” a ministry official told Annapurna. Frequent changes in project leadership and the personal agendas of officials have significantly delayed construction. Road Department spokesperson Arjun Prasad Aryal confirmed that work has been stalled for several days but claimed ignorance about the reason. “I have summoned the project chief for discussions. I can provide details only after speaking with him,” Aryal said.

The construction team has accused Jha of disregarding progress made by previous project chiefs, delaying work by failing to implement pre-approved designs, lab tests, and quality assurance plans. His refusal to follow existing technical plans has escalated costs and further pushed back the completion timeline.

Jha has also ordered a re-testing of the previously approved quality assurance plan without justification, forcing the creation of a new plan. This, according to the construction company, will further delay completion and inflate costs. The project, originally tendered by the Road Department’s Quality Research and Development Center based on Geocom Company’s design and cost estimates, was initially projected to cost Rs 230m to Rs 250m. However, it was contracted for Rs 176m. So far, Rs 440m has been spent, with an additional Rs 150m needed for completion.

A senior Road Department official alleged that Jha’s reinstatement was influenced by personal ties, stating, “The company that prepared the project’s design and cost estimate is linked to Jha’s son-in-law. He leveraged this connection to regain his position as project chief.”

Adding to concerns, Jha reportedly ordered the use of substandard materials, against geotechnical engineers' advice, jeopardizing the flyover’s structural integrity. For instance, temporary casing—normally unnecessary in areas with soil—was installed, requiring an imported machine that cost Rs 3m and took three months to arrive, further inflating expenses. Road Department employees have remained silent about the rationale behind this decision.

Officials claim Jha deliberately set unnecessary standards to obstruct approvals and harbored a personal grudge against the construction company. Even the minister is aware of Jha’s mismanagement, and the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority is monitoring the situation.

Terre Armée, a company involved in major infrastructure projects, has been providing design, supervision, and construction materials for the Gwarko Flyover. However, Jha has reportedly threatened the company, warning of consequences if it does not comply with his directives.

While the Road Department has also held the contractor accountable for flaws in the project, officials accuse Jha of using excuses—such as rejecting a two-year-old quality assurance plan and demanding repeated design reviews and lab tests—to stall progress. These tactics, they claim, have demoralized the construction team and served his personal interests.

A ministry official further alleged that Jha is spreading misinformation about the construction company to justify further delays. “He is briefing the ministry with false claims, blaming the company to cover his own failures,” the official said.

With delays mounting and costs skyrocketing, the Gwarko Flyover remains unfinished, leaving the public to bear the consequences of bureaucratic inefficiency and vested interests.

At least 11 persons were injured after a cooking gas cylinder exploded at a momo shop in Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu on Thursday.

Among the injured, two persons are in critical condition, according to District Police Range, Kathmandu.

Superintendent of Police, Apil Bohara, informed that those injured in the explosion have been taken to the Burn Hospital, Kirtipur for treatment.

The Duke of Edinburgh met a diverse range of participants undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Kathmandu today.

The Award, established in Nepal for ten years, has benefited over 6,000 young people through building lifelong skills and experiences, and is implemented by a team of over 500 volunteers.

At the British Embassy, The Duke presented 19 young Nepalis with the Gold Award (and two were awarded in absentia) – the highest achievement in the Award program and a culmination of hard work and self-development by the young people, reads a statement issued by the British Embassy in Kathmandu.

Separately The Duke met young participants from a range of backgrounds – including young people from government schools, the Scouts, SOS Children’s Villages, and those from underprivileged communities who benefit from the program funding from the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, of which the Duke is Chair of Trustees.

 At the award ceremony His Royal Highness said, “To achieve your Gold Award takes courage, commitment and tenacity – you should be exceptionally proud of what you’ve achieved.”

 Finally, at an evening reception hosted by His Majesty’s Ambassador Rob Fenn, the Duke and Duchess met over 200 people who represent the UK-Nepal friendship.

With a particular focus on young people and the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, the Duke and Duchess interacted with a range of young people, including: those who are participating in the Awards, young entrepreneurs, women’s rights activists, tech experts, recipients of UK honors and Nepalis and Brits who represent a new generation of friendship between our countries.

At the reception, Sue Layden – whose father was the first director of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the UK and led the first successful Everest expedition - announced a new initiative that will support 10 young people to do their Award expedition in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area where they will work with local schools and on a red panda conservation project.

Bhojpur, a district in the eastern hilly region of Nepal, is famous for khukuri. The Bhojpure khukuri, an essential weapon, made in the district is known across the country and abroad.

However, the khukuri industry is facing existential challenges in recent times owing to lack of artisans and raw materials.

The shortage of skilled persons to prepare khukuri is likely to grow more because of the exodus of youths. The youths who used to get skills from the earlier generation are opting for foreign jobs and study at present, said Ghanashyam Bishwokarma, one who runs a furnace to prepare khukuri.

"The number of furnaces used to heat and beat metal to prepare the popular weapon, khukuri, has radically declined in the district," he added. 

The areas producing the weapon are- Kot, Dalgaon, Gogane, Khawa, Khairang, Taksar, Bokhim, Danwa, Timma, Dingla, Deurali, and Jarayotar in the district.

The entrepreneurs complained that the raw materials like coal and sal wood were in short supply while the skilled workforce was also in severe decline, thereby creating the existential crisis of Bhujpure khukuri.

Proprietor of Ranjita Khukuri Industry, Dinesh Gajmer, said, "It is difficult to find artisans, resulting in a slump in khukuri production. However, there is growing demand for the weapon. The workforce available at present are paid much for continuing the profession."

The Bhojpure khukuri is not only used as a weapon but as a gift and decoration.

Varieties of khukuris are produced in the district such as sirupate, banspate, chitlange, kothimuda, panwala, dharkhole and budune.

Hira Shrestha, who runs Urmila Furnace Industry, reminded, "When then King Mahendra visited Bhojpur in 2027BS, a local from Bokhim, Singha Bahadur BK, had gifted him a khukuri, which helped in huge publicity of this product."

In a local market, a khukuri is sold from Rs 800 to 1,800. The rural areas largely use budune and banspate types of khukuri. In addition to local use, this weapon is sold to Dharan, Udayapur, Sankhuwasabha and Kathmandu city as well.

The entrepreneurs have been demanding the governments for assisting in preservation of the khukuri industry.