Kathmandu: The parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has stepped up efforts to investigate the second phase contract awarding process for the construction of the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track by Nepal Army (NA). The parliamentary committee sought to carry out the investigation on suspicion of possible corruption while awarding the contract.

Last December, the NA had picked Chinese Contractor Poly Chhangda Engineering Company Limited and China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited to complete the two-phase construction work of the expressway.

According to the PAC, it received a number of complaints against the NA while conducting the prequalification bidding process of the national pride project. “We have carried out the preliminary investigation and have asked the Ministry of Defence to provide additional documents for further enquiry process,” said Rojnath Pandey, PAC Secretary.

The government on May 4, 2017 decided to give the responsibility of construction management to the NA. The NA had selected a total of 43 companies — 21 for the first phase and 22 for the second phase of the project. On December 25, the NA through a public notice announced the selection of only two companies – both Chinese — for the contract.

The NA has been accused of making its own procedures to award the contract. The Chinese companies are said to have been selected under the influence of Rajan Rayamajhi, a near and dear one of a high-ranking NA official.