Nepal minister's 'break legs' remark highlights pole relocation delays

Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal's recent visit to the Nagdhunga-Mugling road widening project revealed deep-seated frustrations with construction delays. Local residents complained to the minister that the expansion work on one of Nepal's busiest highways had been obstructed by the failure to relocate electricity poles on time. Lamsal's response, instructing officials to summon a contractor and "break his legs" if work didn't progress, sparked widespread criticism and parliamentary questions.

“

It is unfair to claim that road construction has been delayed solely because of pole relocation. Delays have not occurred everywhere.

The controversy, however, brought to light a persistent problem plaguing major highway projects across Nepal: electricity poles often remain in the middle of roads long after significant upgrade work has begun. Interviews with project officials suggest a shared blame among road agencies, contractors, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), and utility infrastructure firms.

Navaraj Ojha, deputy executive director at the NEA's Distribution and Consumer Services Directorate, stated that the authority follows established procedures for pole relocation and argued that delays are not solely attributable to their work. He suggested that road projects sometimes fail to clear and hand over construction sites on time, and that contractors often use pole relocation as an excuse for deadline extensions. Ojha also noted that some contractors secure multiple pole-relocation contracts, leading to simultaneous struggles to manage them.

“

Contractors working on road expansion often make these allegations while seeking deadline extensions.

Bal Krishna Karki, a representative from Sohan Construction, a company involved in pole relocation, emphasized the technical complexities of the work. He highlighted the need for coordinated power shutdowns, safe line disconnections, and experienced personnel. Karki claimed that even after his company relocated poles, road construction did not always progress as expected, and that local residents sometimes reacted angrily to power outages necessary for the work.

“

There are technical challenges in relocating electricity poles. Power shutdowns have to be coordinated, lines must be disconnected safely, and only experienced personnel can handle the work.